Checkmate!

Checkmate!

On a sabbath [Jesus] went to dine at the home of one of the leading Pharisees, and the people there were observing him carefully. In front of him there was a man suffering from dropsy. Jesus spoke to the scholars of the law and Pharisees in reply, asking, “Is it lawful to cure on the sabbath or not?” But they kept silent; so he took the man and, after he had healed him, dismissed him. Then he said to them, “Who among you, if your son or ox falls into a cistern, would not immediately pull him out on the sabbath day?” But they were unable to answer his question.-Luke14:1-6

As I read and reflected on the Gospel reading, I cannot help but be struck by the entire dining setup. First, there were people carefully observing Jesus. [I wonder why.] Second, assuming that Jesus was the Pharisee's guest of honor or primary guest. Why did the Pharisee or his assistant seat him in front of a sickly man?

[Guests of honor always have a good seat and are seated with high ranking government officials, business and society elite. If a guest is sick, s/he is usually replaced with another elite substitute from the society.] Third, during Jesus' time, every Jew knew that healing is considered work. Since healing is work, it is forbidden on a sabbath day. Why, then, were they unable to answer such a simple question if healing was lawful on a sabbath? [It is like asking any mathematician the sum of 1 plus 1.] Fourth, each and every person present on that dinner knew how to care and protect his/her children, animal or possession even if it meant unconscious work during sabbath. What a strange dinner it was!

But as I reflected deeper, I cannot help but notice the malice in their hearts. The man with dropsy was not there without any purpose at all. The people were there waiting, watching and observing carefully all of Jesus' actions. Perhaps some were waiting for one wrong move. Perhaps some were waiting for fresh teaching. Perhaps some were waiting for a great feat or holy action. Knowing Jesus to be a compassionate man, many knew that He would cure the sickly man in front of Him. The man with dropsy knew that it was sabbath and as such, no matter how much he wanted healing right there, he dared not ask. Jesus is full of mercy and compassion, but at the same, He sensed the intentions and possible trap at that very moment.

Before anybody can “checkmate” Jesus, He “checkmated” them first. “Is it lawful to cure on the sabbath or not?” It is still a mystery why they were not able to answer. If they say, “Yes, it is lawful.” then they might as well be accused of disrespecting sabbath laws and prohibitions. If they say, “It is unlawful.” it wouldn't really sound good, even heartless especially in the presence of a sickly man. [Hey, aren't we protecting patients, sick persons and elderly people from rejection, bad news or any emotional stress?] Still Jesus “checkmated” them by asking another question, “Who among you, if your son or ox falls into a cistern, would not immediately pull him out on the sabbath day?” Who indeed?

God loves us so much. We should love Him back by loving our neighbors especially those who are lonely, sick, abandoned and elderly.

Image courtesy: Alexandre Bida (Healing of the man with dropsy), Sunday Growler, artist