Luke 14:1-4 One Sabbath, when Jesus went to eat in the house of a prominent Pharisee, he was being carefully watched. There in front of him was a man suffering from dropsy. Jesus asked the Pharisees and experts in the law, "Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath or not?" But they remained silent. So taking hold of the man, he healed him and sent him away

You would think that religious people would want to know the truth from God. Yet when Jesus came, they wanted to stop Him taking authority over them. They tried to trap Jesus by asking Him questions which they thought He would not be able to answer (trying to prove that He had no right to exercise His ministry), but Jesus always asked them another question to show the hollowness of their opinions and that He knew best.

Today's reading shows Jesus setting the agenda and provoking the Pharisees into responding. The Master was on a truth offensive, and all He did was to ask questions. The debating style at the time was that whoever could not answer the last question had lost the argument. Verse 4 said that they had no reply to the question about whether the Law of Moses allowed healing to take place on the holy Sabbath day; even though He had been criticised for doing just that (Luke 13:10-17). As they said nothing, they were giving Him their 'permission' to heal the sick man ... which He did in front of them, proving that He had the power to do it as well as the right to heal.

Truth is interesting 'stuff'! It is at its best out in the open. But when it conflicts with what is wrong in people they often react negatively; because truth demands that wrong is surrendered and that change should start. When Jesus wants to get our attention, He will often put a question to us: "Is this thing, attitude, activity right or wrong?" But He also speaks about what He wants to do in us, for us, through us and around us ... which we do not want Him to do! He has the right and the power to do whatever He knows will glorify Himself and shower blessings on those who cooperate. So, surely it is time to stop arguing and welcome whatever Jesus wants to do in your workplace, church and home.