Today’s devotional is written by Keith Gerstenberger. He is pictured with his wife Elaine,
who wrote yesterday’s devotional.
Good Morning! my name is Keith Gerstenberger. I was asked to give you a devotional thought from the book of Matthew Chapters 11 and 12.
REFLECTIONS: When life gets us down and the stresses in life are high; when it seems as if you don’t know where to go or what to do; when your spirit is tired and stressed and you’re overburdened for someone or something – Jesus has promised that He will give you comfort and peace. The poem Footsteps says that, as Jesus and I walked along the beach, I looked back and there was only one set of footprints in the sand when I was in my darkest hours. Jesus answered that when there was only one set of footprints in the sand, those were the times I was carrying you and comforting you. Jesus is always there to help us through our darkest times.
Children’s verse: Matthew 12 9-14:
Going on from that place, he went into their synagogue, and a man with a shriveled hand was there. Looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, they asked him, is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath? He said to them, If any of you has a sheep that falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will you not take hold of it, and lift it out? How much more valuable is a man than a sheep! Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath. Then he said to the man, stretch out your hand. So he stretched out his hand and it was completely restored, just as sound as the other. But the Pharisees went out and plotted how they might kill Jesus. REFLECTIONS: The Pharisees are the people that make the laws and rules for the Synagogue, which is like the Jewish church. They tried to trick Jesus, so they asked him if was right to heal someone on the Sabbath, which is like our Sunday. They had made up laws and rules for everything. For example, they could walk to and from church on the Sabbath, but nowhere else, or you would be breaking the rules and laws of the church. Jesus knew what they were thinking, and He asked them this question. If they had a sheep that fell into a pit on the Sabbath, wouldn’t they pull it out? And isn’t a person more important than a sheep? Jesus then healed the man, and the Pharisees were mad and wanted to kill him.
We need to help one another and love each other as Jesus loves us.
Review Questions: 1. After reading about the healing Jesus did, what do you think?
2. Who is more important than sheep in this story?
3. Who did Jesus heal?
4. Who was mad at Jesus for healing the man?
Thank you for being a part of the 100-Day Challenge. Thank you for allowing us to be a part of your day, and may it be blessed.In Christ,
NAME: Keith Gerstenberger
SAVED: When I was 12
FAVORITE BIBLE CHARACTER: Moses FAMILY: A son Brian married to Tara they have Isaac, Olivia & Emma. Our daughter Kelly is married to Jason. They have Angel & Zeke. All of them are serving the Lord.
OCCUPATION: Industrial Sales
FAVORITE BOOK IN BIBLE: Matthew
MINISTRY INVOLVEMENT AT VBC: SS helper