Devotional Thought

What will you do when love demands a compromise? Talking about Jesus, the Bible says, “Now it happened, as He went into the house of one of the rulers of the Pharisees to eat bread on the Sabbath, that they watched Him closely.” Luke 14:1. 

On the Sabbath, Jesus went into the home of one of the top Pharisees to eat bread. I read this verse several times because I wasn’t sure I was seeing it correctly. I couldn’t bear seeing Jesus in the Pharisees’ home. It’s OK if He meets them in the synagogue or temple, but hearing Jesus accept an offer to eat bread in the house of one of the chief Pharisees threw my theology off.

The Pharisees are the most vocal critics and opponents of Jesus’ ministry. Nonetheless, He was invited to lunch and accepted; it defied my mind. I don’t think any of us in the ministry will do it today. Despite the Pharisees’ attitude toward His teaching, person, and ministry, Jesus revealed that He did not regard them as His enemies.

When He arrived at the Pharisees’ house, He noticed a man with dropsy, and they were watching him to see what He would do. They invited the man with dropsy and Jesus to see what Jesus would do on a Sabbath day. Jesus did not leave them in suspense about what He would do; He cured the man.

Don’t Compromise Your Stand

Jesus demonstrates the distinction between walking in love and living in compromise. He showed His love by accepting the invitation, but He also exhibited His conviction by healing the sick. Jesus did not compromise His position to express His love.

Please remember that showing someone you love them does not need you to compromise your beliefs. Jesus was willing to forego the bread to defend His conviction and upset His host.

Let’s Talk About It.

How will you handle a situation of walking in love that is confronted with a compromising scenario?

Prayer Starter.

Father, help me to identify the boundary between love and compromise in my dealings with people, in Jesus’ name.