Lesson 997

(Lesson 997)(06-06-14) Luke 13:10-17

"And he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath. And, behold, there was a woman which had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bowed together, and could in no wise lift up herself. And when Jesus saw her, he called her to him, and said unto her, Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity. And he laid his hands on her: and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God. And the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because that Jesus had healed on the sabbath day, and said unto the people, There are six days in which men ought to work: in them therefore come and be healed, and not on the sabbath day. The Lord then answered him, and said, Thou hypocrite, doth not each one of you on the sabbath loose his ox or his ass from the stall, and lead him away to watering? And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day? And when he had said these things, all his adversaries were ashamed: and all the people rejoiced for all the glorious things that were done by him."

This lesson is a short one, but again, one that relates directly to the way today's "Christianity" is administered.
The "ruler of the synagogue", from today's quote, got angry because Jesus dared heal the infirm woman on the sabbath day. The "ruler" was far more interested in outward appearance, and maintaining the absoluteness of ritual, than he was in the welfare of his flock.

Jesus, in His infinite wisdom, quickly put the man in his place and explained why his heart was in the wrong place.

This lesson relates to today's "Christianity" in that many congregations praise only those who keep up appearances by faithfully occupying the pews every time the doors swing. I hope unwittingly, they too, just like the "ruler", are ignoring the needs of the lost souls who languish on the underbelly of society. Some of which reside within a stones throw of the "Church".

It seems today that all one need do to maintain a proper "Christian" status, is to show up for "Church" every time the doors swing and flop a few dollars in the collection plate.

I've studied the New Testament extensively and have found NO scriptural foundation for the contention that Christian people are to meet two or three times a week. As a matter of fact, there is only one passage of scripture that mentions assembling together at all; "Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching."(Hebrews 10:23-25) In this quote, Paul was urging the saved people of Corinth, to stay in contact with each other so as to stay motivated to go and do the footwork for the gospel. He did say that the Corinthians should stay in touch more often as the day of our Lord neared.

It is not my intention to discourage "Church" attendance, it is my Christian duty, as well as it is the duty of ALL Christians, to spread the word of God as far and wide as we can possibly spread it. I assure you, we will come in contact with far more lost souls by going where the "sinners" are, than we ever will sitting on a pew.

Just as the "ruler of the synagogue" was more about appearance than he was substance, we today are guilty of basically the exact same sin.

The following scripture is a warning, I believe, directly aimed at today's Church. "I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth." (Revelation 3:15-16)~