The Sabbath

Then Jesus went over to their synagogue, 10 where he noticed a man with a deformed hand. The Pharisees asked Jesus, “Does the law permit a person to work by healing on the Sabbath?” (They were hoping he would say yes, so they could bring charges against him.)
11 And 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. 12 And how much more valuable is a person than a sheep! Yes, the law permits a person to do good on the Sabbath.
13 Then he said to the man, ”Hold out your hand.” So the man held out his hand, and it was restored, just like the other one! Matthew 13:9-11
The Pharisees were hoping to catch Jesus in their crossfire. They were trying to trick Him. They knew the law about doing basically anything, on the Sabbath, and here was Jesus about to heal a man on that very HOLY DAY> They could care less about the man Jesus was about to heal, they had an agenda, and it was to catch Jesus looking bad, to ruin His reputation. (The Pharisees would make great Politicians today, I think.) Jesus answered their questions with another question, which is a great way to get them to shut up. He realized the stupidity of how far they had taken the "The Sabbath Day, keep it Holy" law. They had taken it so far that you weren't supposed to cross the street, unless you were going to the Synagogue to pay your tithes. (More money, sure you can do whatever you want on the Sabbath, if it involves more money for us.)
Jesus knew what was important, and what was not. There was a man who had a dis-formed hand, and Jesus was going to heal it, regardless of what these "Politicians" thought.
Legalism, ever heard of that word? Basically it is taking rules, and laws and applying them to the extreme. I had a pastor one time who would not preach the word out of anything except the King James Version of the Bible. This, in itself, is NOT so bad, but he would not allow visiting preachers to either. It seems he was of the belief, that if it was good enough for Jesus, then it was good enough for him. (As we all know, the King James Version came out during Jesus life.!) This, in my mind, is "Legalism" Growing up we referred to this as "Clothes line preaching" (If it doesn't fit under the "Clothesline" that I put up, then it is not of God).
"Legalism" can destroy a church, it can turn away Christians, it can cause friction, it can turn away those that would come to the Lord.\
I recently had a conversation on line with some friends about what is sin for one, is it sin for all? There are the basic 10 commandments, but what about those "Grey Areas"? Is it wrong to dance, to attend movies, to drink carbonated beverages, or alcohol? Will you go to hell if you smoke? What about eating to much, is this a sin worthy of banning us from Heaven? I don't know, but I have ask the Lord this very question. He always says the same thing: "Whatever keeps you from a relationship with Me, is a sin". If you believe drinking a glass of wine with dinner is wrong, and you do it anyway and feel so guilty that it is hard to pray , then it is a sin for you. If you drink moderately throughout the week and have no problem with your relationship with God, and there is no guilt, no awkward feeling or silence between you and the Lord. It does not hinder your walk from Him, therefore, I believe, it is not a sin. Now, I didn't say go out and steal, as long as you don't feel guilty, it is not a sin. Remember, the 10 Commandments.
I was raised in a certain Pentecostal religion, that had MANY rules and regulations regarding what I could, and could NOT do. Through the years, these rules have softened up, and the powers that be realize that they are not that important. What IS important, above all, is our relationship with the Father. But because of these past wrong beliefs, there are many local churches of our denomination, that still "Judge" others based on these old teachings.
I sought out a church, that is a member of this denomination, but does not advertise that on their Church sign. We call ourselves a church for all who seek God. You see, denomination is like religion, it does not matter, they have hurt Christianity more then anything else in this world, I believe.
Talk to a non-believer about church, and usually what is the first thing that comes up? Money. All they want is my money. Why does the church have this persona? Because, it seems, that is all they see,. On TV, on the Radio, maybe at churches they have gone to, it seems, to them, that money is the focus. "Give me all your money and you will be healed" God asks for nothing, but ourselves. He demands nothing. He already paid the price. I believe in "tithing" (10% of what we get, given back to the church , that is how churches pay the expenses. This would sure make a good idea for Washington DC, wouldn't it? Flat Tax, 10% of everything everyone brings in, no more no less. Easy,and fair. Sorry, I digress)
" Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments." Matthew 22:38-40. See the 10 commandments can be summed up in only two. Love the Lord, with all your heart,soul and mind, and love your neighbor,(friends, acquaintances, enemies, co workers, associates, loved ones, family members, in other words, EVERYONE you know,) as yourself. Wow, that is not easy, especially the love everyone you know as yourself part, I mean I REALLY LOVE MYSELF!!!!! Putting others above ourselves will make us love them. IF we do just these two things, Loving the Lord with ALL we are, and putting others ABOVE ourselves, everything will fall into place. You do not have to stop doing anything, not one thing your doing now. Just do these two things and it all will work out, because WHEN we do these two things, God will help us see what things are important and what things are not.
Remember the Sabbath and keep it holy. Good advice, it is supposed to be a day of rest, so rest, but don't ignore those who may need your help, just because it is the Sabbath. Love your neighbors, help them, support them, be there for them. And above all, Love the Lord, your God, with all...............