I have recently been studying several incidents in the Gospels that have a similar reoccurring theme. The incidents of interest are as follows

• Healing of a Paralytic (Matthew 9:1-8, Mark 2:1-12, Luke 5:17-26)
• Healing of a Man in the Synagogue (Matthew 12:9-14, Mark 3:1-6, Luke 6:6-11)
• Healing at the Pool in Bethsaida (John 5:1;16)

In the first Jesus is accused of forgiving sin by the religious which leads Jesus to heal the paralytic. In the latter two, Jesus heals on the  Sabbath. Among these passages are also other incidents where Jesus is criticized for doing things on the Sabbath. These incidents lead the religious conservatives to seek to kill Jesus! (Matthew 12:14,  Mark 3:6, John  5:16).

The question can be asked why would the PhariseesA separatist and self-righteous sect in Judaism which prided itself in strict adherence to the Mosaic law, but which attended only to external and trifling details and actually nullified the law by adding to it human traditions. seek to kill Jesus? In a large part was because he violated the Sabbath commandment in their eyes even when he performed miracles. To rephrase it, PhariseesA separatist and self-righteous sect in Judaism which prided itself in strict adherence to the Mosaic law, but which attended only to external and trifling details and actually nullified the law by adding to it human traditions. seemed to have held a doctrinal viewpoint that God did not permit miracles to occur on the Sabbath! In the passage in Matthew 12, Jesus specially takes to task the notion of doing good on the Sabbath, to save a life. Yet so odorous were Jesus’ miracles on the Sabbath that the PhariseesA separatist and self-righteous sect in Judaism which prided itself in strict adherence to the Mosaic law, but which attended only to external and trifling details and actually nullified the law by adding to it human traditions. sought  to kill Jesus. They could not look past their doctrinal preconceptions to see the evidence before them: a paralytic who now walks, a man with a withered  hand restored, and man beside the pool who can now carry his mat after years of lying upon it without hope.

It is easy in hindsight to sit in judgement upon the PhariseesA separatist and self-righteous sect in Judaism which prided itself in strict adherence to the Mosaic law, but which attended only to external and trifling details and actually nullified the law by adding to it human traditions.. Yet we have many today who hold to doctrinal preconceptions at  the expense of evidence to the contrary. DoctrinePrinciples, tenets, creeds or beliefs. Usually presented in some type of official form but also may not be stated in an organized manner. Doctrine is usually considered to be a systematic and carefully worked out principle or belief. is important in the life of the Church. It gives us our framework to view and interact with the world, each other and ourselves. Yet we must be willing to not hold blindly when we are confronted with evidence that demands we reconsider. Perhaps the most debilitating lie in many circles is the notion of  blind faith. Faith is critical for life but blind faith is deadly. It says we hold on despite all evidence to the contrary. If we just believe enough then it must be true. If we hold on diligently even when we are drowning although a lifeline is thrown our way then God HAS to bless us. God calls us to trust him and to have faith. But never does the God of Creation call us to refuse his evidence and his work.

When our adherence to doctrinePrinciples, tenets, creeds or beliefs. Usually presented in some type of official form but also may not be stated in an organized manner. Doctrine is usually considered to be a systematic and carefully worked out principle or belief. causes us to miss the work of God then we are in essence denying God himself and we find ourselves like the PhariseesA separatist and self-righteous sect in Judaism which prided itself in strict adherence to the Mosaic law, but which attended only to external and trifling details and actually nullified the law by adding to it human traditions.. Jesus himself stated the PhariseesA separatist and self-righteous sect in Judaism which prided itself in strict adherence to the Mosaic law, but which attended only to external and trifling details and actually nullified the law by adding to it human traditions.  in John 5:36-40 state that the PhariseesA separatist and self-righteous sect in Judaism which prided itself in strict adherence to the Mosaic law, but which attended only to external and trifling details and actually nullified the law by adding to it human traditions. studied the Scriptures diligently but they refused to come to life even when his works (read miracles on the Sabbath) testified that he indeed was sent from the Father.

We have many doctrines and pillars in the Church. They are there to provide guideposts, direction and a framework. But in the end, it is God  himself that commands are hearts and gives us life through Jesus. May we not hold so dearly to something that we miss God himself. Sometimes our idea of what the “One Way” is really is nothing other than “My Way”.  Don’t miss the meaning of the miracles for the sake of the Sabbath!