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

Wednesday, June 4, 2025

Your Support is Needed

Donations are vital to help us keep the light shining!

 Donate Now
[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

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

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?"

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Wednesday, June 4, 2025

Morning & Evening
The classic twice-daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.
Morning Thought: Isaiah 33:21
"Broad rivers and streams produce fertility, and abundance in the land. Places near broad rivers are remarkable for the variety of their plants and..."
Passion for Praise
A daily passage of Scripture emphasizing praise to our God.
'Producing Great Praise to God' (2 Co. 9:10-11)
"This most generous God who gives seed to the farmer that becomes bread for your meals is more than extravagant with you. He gives you something you..."
Quotemeal
A daily dose of Christian quotes to inspire and encourage.
Quote by Francis Schaeffer:
"God has given us rules not because He is arbitrary, but because the rules... are fixed in His own character.... Thus, when we sin we break the law of God... in...."
Spiritual Warfare
A daily devotional about God's power for our battles.
'Christians Have Authority, So USE It' (Mt. 18:18)
"“I assure you and most solemnly say to you, whatever you bind [forbid, declare to be improper and unlawful] on earth shall have [already] been bound....."

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.

More What Jesus Did!