Divine Dining March 22, 2026 Devotional

LUKE 14:1-4 | ¹On one occasion when Jesus was going to the house of a leader of the Pharisees to eat a meal on the Sabbath, they were watching him closely. ² Just then, in front of him, there was a man who had edema. ³ And Jesus asked the experts in the law and Pharisees, “Is it lawful to cure people on the Sabbath or not?” ⁴ But they were silent. So Jesus took him and healed him and sent him away.

Once again Jesus accepts an invitation from a Pharisee, despite their overall antagonism. His openness to work with and try to convert His enemies into friends is remarkable. Into the feast came a man with “dropsy,” a condition of edema, or swelling from water retention. Jesus seizes the initiative and poses the question to His learned hosts: "Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath, or is it unlawful?"

The question shows the cowardice of these leaders, who seek reputation more than truth. They do not offer an answer, lest they lose status. If they say "No, healing is unlawful," they'll be seen to be uncaring and unmerciful. If they say "Yes, it is lawful," they'll undermine their own role as keepers of the rules, for they will be admitting their own previous practice was wrong. Their circumspect silence shows that they value position over both mercy and over truth.

Are you afraid of being wrong?

Gracious God,

Give me courage beyond my current convictions. Open my heart to seek truth wherever it leads, even when I must revise my views.

Amen.