On one occasion Jesus said, "The Sabbath was made for the good of human beings; they were not made for the Sabbath." (Mark 2:27). The Sabbath here signifies worship and commitment to God's commandments. It was God's gift to mankind, his way of helping human beings make order of their life and faith, specifically their relationship with him and with each other.
This shows us how important man is in God's eyes. In (Psalm 8) David asks, "What are human beings, that you think of them; mere mortals, that you care for them? Yet you made them inferior only to yourself; you crowned them with glory and honor." Jesus confirmed this when he said, "Look at the birds: they do not plant seeds, gather a harvest and put it in barns; yet your Father in heaven takes care of them! Aren't you worth much more than birds?" (Matthew 6:26).
From verses like these derives the Christian practice of caring for the poor and the needy. John asks, "If we are rich and see others in need, yet close our hearts against them, how can we claim that we love God?" (1 John 3:17).
Throughout history the church reflected Jesus' character by practicing a social gospel involving charity and sacrificial giving. Caring Christians sought to wipe away tears, heal broken hearts, establish institutions to care for orphans and widows, hospitals to treat the sick, schools to teach the young, and nursing homes where elderly people could spend their last days with dignity. "You know about Jesus of Nazareth and how God poured out on him the Holy Spirit and power. He went everywhere, doing good and healing all who were under the power of the Devil, for God was with him." (Acts 10:38)
The last chapter of Proverbs gives God's exhortation that we "Speak for them and be a righteous judge. Protect the rights of the poor and needy." And the virtuous woman is described as doing just that: "She is generous to the poor and needy." (Proverbs 31:9, 20) May our gospel be more than just declarations of doctrine without demonstrations of God's love.
- 28 NOVEMBER -