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Doing Well on the Sabbath Honors the Day, May 14
Of how much more value then is a man than a sheep? Therefore it is lawful
to do good on the Sabbath.
Matthew 12:12
, NKJV.
When questioned, “Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath days?” Jesus answered,
“What man shall there be among you, that shall have one sheep, and if it fall into a
pit on the sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it, and lift it out? How much then is
a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days”
(
Matthew 12:10-12
).
The spies dared not answer Christ in the presence of the multitude, for fear of
involving themselves in difficulty. They knew that He had spoken the truth. Rather
than violate their traditions, they would leave a human being to suffer, while they
would relieve a brute because of the loss to the owner if it were neglected. Thus
greater care was shown for a dumb animal than for a person, who is made in the
image of God.
This illustrates the working of all false religions. They originate in the human
desire to exalt self above God, but they result in degrading humanity below the
brute. Every religion that wars against the sovereignty of God defrauds human
beings of the glory which was theirs at the creation, and which is to be restored to
them in Christ. Every false religion teaches its adherents to be careless of human
needs, sufferings, and rights. The gospel places a high value upon humanity as the
purchase of the blood of Christ, and it teaches a tender regard for the wants and
woes of humankind....
When Jesus turned upon the Pharisees with the question whether it was lawful
on the Sabbath day to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill, He confronted
them with their own wicked purposes. They were hunting His life with bitter hatred,
while He was saving life and bringing happiness to multitudes. Was it better to
slay upon the Sabbath, as they were planning to do, than to heal the afflicted, as He
had done? Was it more righteous to have murder in the heart upon God’s holy day
rather than love, which finds expression in deeds of mercy?
In the healing of the withered hand, Jesus condemned the custom of the Jews,
and left the fourth commandment standing as God had given it. “It is lawful to do
well on the sabbath days,” He declared. By sweeping away the senseless restrictions
of the Jews, Christ honored the Sabbath, while those who complained of Him were
dishonoring God’s holy day.—
The Desire of Ages, 286, 287
.
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