Topic: Do we love mercy or law?
Scripture(s): Matthew 12:9-14
Jesus time this morning we acted like Pharisees…and found that sometimes it’s not an act!
Notes: The Bible verses are included below, but it is more beneficial to read any verses from an actual Bible – or better yet, have the children read from their own. We recommend the NLT (New Living Translation – Tyndale Publishers) which is easy to read but very accurate. If you don’t have one please let us know as we may be able to help.
Description
We have been a lot on the topics of love, mercy, forgiveness, patience etc lately. We will post some of these as time permits – look out for ‘Collosian Clothing’ and the tags.
The more we get to know Jesus and submit to His Spirit – He will change us from the inside to reflect more of who He is. This morning the Big M chose to act out a story so we looked at the following verses.
“Then Jesus went over to their synagogue, 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.)
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. And how much more valuable is a person than a sheep! Yes, the law permits a person to do good on the Sabbath.”
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! Then the Pharisees called a meeting to plot how to kill Jesus”
Matthew 12:9-14 NLTse
When we act out a story, we change the way we do things depending on the story and the icomprehension needed. Sometimes we may discuss some parts of the story, the details, the themes etc before acting it out – other times we will ask them to get into a group, groups or individual to think & work out how they will present the story.
Today I emphasized a couple of things before we acted it out:
- “Then Jesus went over to their synagogue”
- We read the verses before this story to see what the “Then” was about and who the “their” was. Jesus had just had a run in with this group of Pharisees, they falsely accused His disciples, they judged Him. He didn’t react or avoid them – He went to their synagogue.
- “where he noticed a man with a deformed hand”
- Amazing that when at the synagogue – where people went to pray and learn the law from teachers – His focus was on a person – who was suffering.
- Jesus’ response and actions
- The reaction of the Pharisees
We all chose our roles and acted it out – then swapped roles so everyone had a chance of playing each part.
- We always try to really engage with each part as we do it – and these things became evident as we did so:
- Jesus made a decision to go
- The Pharisees wanted to trap and suppress others while elevating themselves
- Jesus was a lot wiser than the scholars of the day
- Jesus used illustrations that people understood to emphasize the heart of the law
- Jesus never shied away from speaking the truth or doing what was right no matter the opposition
- Jesus had compassion and brought healing
- The Pharisses cared more about someone doing the wrong thing than a person being healed
It’s amazing when we look at ourselves honestly, we can see areas in our lives where we are like Pharisees and treat the law as more important than mercy and love.
Conclusion: It’s easy to be like a Pharisee!
“Lord please help us view the world and others through your eyes of love & compassion – because that love has changed us. Please forgive us for the times we act according to our sinful nature – not because we deserve it, but because Your Son died on the cross to pay the price”