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

Sunday, June 4, 2017

Jesus answered, "If any of you has a sheep, and the sheep falls into a ditch on the Sabbath day, then you will take the sheep and help it out of the ditch. Surely a man is more important than a sheep. So the law {of Moses} allows people to do good things on the Sabbath day."
— Matthew 12:11-12 NLT
Illustration of Matthew 12:11-12 NLT — "If any of you has a sheep, and the sheep falls into a ditch on the Sabbath day, then you will take the sheep and help it out of the ditch."

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, everyday 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 upon 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 today 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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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.

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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