One Year Bible - March 8

3/8/2021
Post Written by
Katie Tang | He Cares

Scriptures to read:

Matthew 12:1-21; Leviticus 14; Proverbs 26

I don’t know about the rest of you, but after a year of pandemic life, the image of a barely flickering candle describes me pretty well some days.  It’s not that I’m actually suffering.  I’m just worn out. And if I’m completely honest, sometimes being a Christian adds to that feeling.  I want to live my life to please God, but to discipline myself to obey, to sacrifice one more thing—well, sometimes it just feels impossible.

Which is why today’s reading from Matthew landed in my inbox at exactly the right moment.  The view of Jesus in this passage is high and exalted—he is Lord over the Sabbath and its rules, greater than the temple, powerful enough to work miracles.  One day he will bring justice to victory.  But Jesus does not use this power and authority to fight or shout or demand.  He does not reach out to squash those who are barely holding on.  Instead he is merciful, gentle, humble, and kind.  He cares about the physical needs of his disciples. He not only heals a disabled man but speaks of his immense value.  And he will not blow out a barely flickering candle.

If this is what Jesus is like, then maybe, just maybe, obedience and sacrifice are not supposed to weigh me down.  Maybe, instead of dwelling on the difficulty, Jesus wants me to lift my face to him, that I might know the one who is asking me to follow and experience his love anew. Maybe this is not just a sacrifice, but also an opportunity.

Now, did the bizarre-seeming mildew laws in Leviticus also land in my inbox at just the right time? I’m not so sure about that.  But there is this: We serve a God who cares about the mildew in our houses.  He is merciful to those who are poor, allowing them to offer sacrifices they can afford.  He provides a path for those who are healed from disease to also be restored to society.

The God we serve is good.  Let’s hope in him today.


Memory Verse: For the Son of Man is Lord, even over the Sabbath. - Matthew 12:8

Prayer: Jesus, we put our hope in you because we know that you are merciful and that you care for us.  Please allow each of us to feel your tender love deep in our souls today, and give us the strength we need to follow you.