What Jesus Did! 'Much More Than a Sheep' — Matthew 12:11-12

Wednesday, June 4, 2025

[When the Pharisees asked Jesus if a person could work by healing on the Sabbath,] he answered, "If you had a sheep that fell into a well on the Sabbath, wouldn't you work to pull it out? Of course you would. And how much more valuable is a person than a sheep! Yes, the law permits a person to do good on the Sabbath."
— Matthew 12:11-12 NLT

Key Thought

Any day set aside to honor God and to bring rest to his people must recognize the holy worship in blessing others. To rest on the Sabbath for the Jews did not mean to refrain from any form of labor, but it did mean to honor God on the day he set aside and to bless his children by letting them enjoy his rest and praise him. Similarly, every day for Christians is to be a day to worship God and to serve others.

Today's Prayer

Holy God, today I ask for your blessing to be on those I love who need your blessing, grace, and healing. I know you know them far better than I, but I ask you to bless them as I bring their names to your attention ... Father, lead me to those that you want me to reach with the grace of Jesus. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • 1 Peter 3:8-9
  • Galatians 6:9-10
  • Matthew 18:12-14

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Illustration

Illustration of Matthew 12:11-12 NLT — "If you had a sheep that fell into a well on the Sabbath, wouldn't you work to pull it out?"

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About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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