They Could Not Answer…Again

Jesus breaking bread with His disciples.
Drama at Richland Naz church.

One Sabbath day Jesus went to eat dinner in the home of a leader of the Pharisees, and the people were watching him closely. There was a man there whose arms and legs were swollen. Jesus asked the Pharisees and experts in religious law, "Is it permitted in the law to heal people on the Sabbath day, or not?" When they refused to answer, Jesus touched the sick man and healed him and sent him away. Then he turned to them and said, "Which of you doesn't work on the Sabbath? If your son or your cow falls into a pit, don't you rush to get him out?" Again they could not answer. Luke 14:1-6 

Meditate on Jesus healing, again, on the Sabbath.

 

Some of the Pharisees have a gift of Hospitality—inviting Jesus to Shabot dinner. They really just wanted to trick Him, as they clearly were watching Him closely. A man with dropsy, swelling of the arms and legs, was also at this dinner. Was he purposely invited? Customs are different in different countries. It may have been that he didn’t have to have an “invitation” to be there, but those Pharisees could see for themselves that this man was sick. He needed to be healed. They couldn’t heal that poor fellow, but they knew Jesus could and suspected that He would do just that.

When Jesus confronted the Pharisees, challenging them about it being permissible or not to heal on the Sabbath, those Jewish leaders didn’t even have the respect to answer Jesus. Then Jesus did the miracle they were all expecting. He healed that sick man and sent him on his way. Precious to the Lord Jesus, but the Pharisees didn’t seem to care. They didn’t even answer when Jesus asked them if they’d save their own son or cow if they were in trouble on the Sabbath. They didn’t or couldn’t answer.

Would you do what the Pharisees did? Invite Jesus to an important meal and then treat Him rudely? Stand up for Jesus and He will stand up for you.

Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor. James 4:10 NLT

What do we learn about Jesus from this Scripture passage today?

 

Prayer – Lord Jesus, as usual, You are compassionate. Way to go! It would be just mean for You to not heal that poor fellow. I’ll bet that he was nearly skipping and whooping as he hurried back to his family! Healed! I’m rejoicing with him and You! Please continue to heal…and I can think of several people who need Your healing touch. Thank You!

 

Verse of Salvation ~ "Then your salvation will come like the dawn, and your wounds will quickly heal. Your godliness will lead you forward, and the glory of the LORD will protect you from behind. Isaiah 58:8

 

© 2026 Text, photos, and illustrations by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved. 

All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted. 

New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. 

Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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