Rule Breakers and Rule Users
If you are going to accuse someone of something, it is probably a good idea to make sure you are not guilty of the same thing.
But the Lord answered him and said, "You hypocrites! Does not each of you on the sabbath untie his ox or his donkey from the manger, and lead it away to give it water? And ought not this woman, a daughter of Abraham whom Satan bound for eighteen long years, be set free from this bondage on the sabbath day?" - Luke 13:15-16
In today's Gospel reading, Jesus counters his accusers with an example of similar action on their part.
I am no more guilty than you, he tells them, and the crowd roars.
In this particular case, as he has done in others, he gives them a just cause for doing "work" on the Sabbath Day. But this is not about breaking rules, nor is it about the Sabbath. It is about common sense and helping others.
If we seek to do the right things, we will be working within the law, rather than against it.
The leader of the synagogue didn't see it that way. And he certainly didn't appreciate being made to look like a fool in front of his congregation. So, what actually happened here?
One thing that happened was Jesus saw a need and acted to help, regardless of the day of the week or the laws against such engagement. He didn't put it off for another day, another time.
The leader of the synagogue, though, offered nothing for the woman. He stood by and watched her suffer.
So, who is guilty of what here?
One is guilty of breaking a rule, while the other is guilty of using the rules to shield him from action.
Where are we in this picture? What shields do we use to protect us from getting involved?
The other day I was driving to work and I stopped at a light. There were two cars in front of me when the light turned to green. The first drove off, but the second didn't move.
I waited briefly before tapping my horn. I expected the driver would realize the light had changed and would move, but he didn't. I cautiously drove around him and saw that he was slumped back in his seat.
What do I do?
I pulled over, fearing his car would start rolling forward on its own if his foot was not on the brake, and I got out. As I walked toward his vehicle, he opened his eyes and looked straight at me.
He was ok. He nodded thanks and drove around me.
It was after I climbed back in my car that the risks of my action became more apparent to me, but at the time, all I could think of was trying to help him.
I still managed to make it to work on time, and what could have been a serious situation turned out to be nothing.
Maybe, then, I am on the right path, of the right mind, taking the right approach.
Or maybe I am just foolish. But putting the needs of others first can't be a bad thing, can it?
More to come...