Jesus Christ Heals
On Sabbath Day,
Teaches Humility,
Wisdom
And Philanthropism
By
The
Twelve Apostles
Why Healing On The Sabbath Day
Is Good
And
while they tarried in the place a man, a Pharisee, invited Jesus and a few of
those who followed him, to dine with Him upon the Sabbath Day, to celebrate the
marriage of his son. Among the guests was one afflicted with a dropsical disease.
And Jesus said to those who had been sent to get from his own lips some
words by which they might accuse Him of a crime, “You lawyers and you
Pharisees, what do you say about the lawlessness of healing on the Sabbath Day?
Here is a man, one of your own, and he is sore distressed. Shall I, in God's own strength, say out
the healing Word and heal this man?”
The lawyers and the Pharisees were dumb. They answered not. Then Jesus
spoke the healing Word and healed the man and he, rejoicing, went his way. Then
Jesus said again to the lawyers and the Pharisees, “Which one of you who has a
horse or cow, if it would fall into a pit on the Sabbath Day would not call in
his friends to help to draw it out?” And
not a man could answer, “Here am I.”
Explanations:
1. Jesus was bold enough that even the rich and
wealthy, as well as the leaders, did not deter Him from saying the Truth and
doing the right things.
2. Evils and abominations shall continue to
abound in the midst of humanity, until people speak the Truth and stand by it.
3. In many societies, people suffer, as long as
they fail to stand by the Truth.
4. Blessed are those who know the Truth and.
However, triple-blessed are they that know the Truth and say it without fear or
favour.
5. In every situation, the children of God
should emulate Jesus Christ, by being out-spoken.
Jesus
Teaches Humility And Wisdom
As Jesus looked upon the guests, who
had been invited to the feast, and saw them crowding in to get the highest
seats, He said to them, “You selfish men, why do you strive to take the highest
seats when you are but invited guests? You do not show our host the courtesies
of life. When men are invited to a feast, they should sit in the lower
seats, until the host shall place them where he wills.
You
may, by yourself, take the highest seat. But then a man more honourable than
you may come in, and the host shall then bid you rise and take a lower seat
that he may honour his more worthy guest, and so you shall be ashamed of your lowered
dignity.
“But if you take the lowest seat, and then you are called by your host
and asked to take a higher seat, you are esteemed an honoured guest. In
this event we note a principle in life, that he who would exalt himself shall
be brought low, and he who humbles himself shall be exalted.”
So He told a parable to those who were invited, when
He noted how they chose the best places, saying to them: "When you are
invited by anyone to a wedding feast, do not sit down in the best place, lest someone
more honourable than you be invited by him; and he who invited you and him come
and say to you, 'Give place to this man,' and then you begin with shame to take
the lowest place. But when you are invited, go and sit down in the lowest
place, so that when he who invited you comes, he may say to you, 'Friend, go up
higher.' Then you will have honour and glory in the presence of those who sit
at the table with you. For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who
humbles himself will be exalted."
Explanations:
1. Public honours and respect are very good, if
both public and the honoured are righteous people.
2. But, do not keep yourself busy desiring
praises from men.
3. The wise saints do not accept praises from
the ignorant multitudes.
Jesus
Teaches Philanthropism
Then Jesus spoke to all the guests.
He said, “When any one of you would make a feast, it should not be for friends,
kindred or the rich only. For they consider such a courtesy loaned out,
and they feel called upon to make a greater feast for you, just in the payment
of a debt. But when you make a feast, invite the poor, the lame and the
blind. In this a blessing waits for you, for well you know that you will get nothing
in return from these poor and needy people. But in the consciousness of helping
those who need, you will be recompensed.”
Then He also said to him who invited Him, "When
you give a dinner or a supper, do not invite your friends, your brothers, your
relatives, nor rich neighbours, only, lest they also invite you back, and you
be repaid. But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the maimed, the lame and
the blind. And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you; for you
shall be repaid at the resurrection of the just."
Explanations:
1. When you organize occasions, do not fail to
invite, welcome and entertain the poor and needy ones.
2. Or organize their own party and festivities
for them.
3. They should be dressed in clean attire, and
not in dirty and repulsive dresses.
4. Or take and send their portions to their
homes and locations.
5. The services you render to them is of great
value in the eyes of God.
6. Such services or benefits earn you great blessings
in the kingdom of heaven.
Parable
Of The Reluctant Guests
And then He spoke a parable. He said,
“A wealthy man prepared a feast. He sent his servants forth to invite his
chosen ones to come. But they desired not to go, and they formed such excuses
as they thought would satisfy the would-be host.
One said, ‘I have just bought a
piece of land, and I must go and prove my title to the land. I pray to be
excused.’
Another said ‘I must go down and prove my ownership in sheep that I have bought.
I pray to be excused.’
Another said, ‘I have just being
married and so I cannot go. I beg to be excused.’
“Now, when the servants came and told the man who had prepared the feast, that those he had invited would not come, the man was
grieved in heart. And then he sent his servants forth into the streets and
passageways of the town to bring up to the feast the poor, the lame and the
blind. The servants went abroad and found the poor, the lame and the
blind, and brought them in. But there was still room for more. The host
then sent his men of arms to bring by force the people to his feast, and then
the house was full.
“And God has made a feast for men. Many years ago, He sent His servants
forth to the favoured sons of men. They would not hear his call. They came not
to the feast. He then sent forth his servants to the strangers and the
multitudes. They came, but there is room for more. Behold, for he will
send his Angels forth with mighty trumpet blast, and men will be compelled to
come up to the feast.”