March 18 | Luke 14:1-6
- Kim Starr
- Mar 18
- 3 min read
DAILY READING
REFLECTION
Silence?
By Kim Starr
Can you remember a situation where you were uncomfortable? You felt like everyone was looking at you. Maybe people were pointing at you or talking in hushed tones. Maybe you wondered if you’d worn the right clothes. Maybe you wondered if you had something on your face. Maybe the actions of these other people made you so uncomfortable your face turned red. Or maybe you couldn’t stand it and you left. Afterward you reviewed the situation over and over in your head wondering what you could have done differently, or if you should have even gone in the first place.
Jesus spent a great deal of his ministry among people who didn’t understand him or looked at him in a different way. In verse 1, it says that Jesus, “was being carefully watched.” It is one thing to think you are being watched or feel like everyone is talking about you. In Jesus’ case, he knew it was true. Yet, he continued to put himself out there.
One Sabbath, Jesus was at the home of a prominent Pharisee. Right in front of him is a suffering man. Jesus had seen lots of people like this. It's almost as if the Pharisees put him there as a plant to see what Jesus would do. Jesus takes the bait and asks the Pharisees and the experts of the law if it is lawful to heal on the Sabbath. To no one’s surprise, they say nothing. Jesus heals the man and sends him on his way. He then asks if, on the Sabbath, their child or animal fell down a well, would they pull them out? Again, they say nothing.
What does their silence mean? Are they approving of what Jesus did? Doubtful. Are they shaking their heads and thinking, “He did it again.” Probably. Are they going to cook up yet another plot to trap him? Absolutely. While we don’t know exactly why they were silent, we do know that their speaking up would not have made a difference. Jesus was headed to the cross regardless. That was God’s plan.
Today is a different day. We’ve already been saved by Jesus’ dying for our sins. However, God’s ultimate goal of bringing all of the world to know him has not yet been fulfilled. So, if we were in a similar situation as the Pharisees and the experts of the law, what would we do? What would our silence mean? What effect might our speaking up have? Depending on the situation, it takes courage to do either one. Let’s ask God what he would have us do and then listen and follow.
PRAYER
Lord, please send your Holy Spirit to show us if we should be silent, or if we should speak. We want to bring you glory by our words and actions. Help us to heed your direction so we point others to you. Amen.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
KIM STARR
I have been a member of UALC since I was 2-years-old. Over my life I have participated in, and volunteered for, numerous ministries, programs, and activities, all of which have grown and strengthened my faith. I have been blessed beyond measure by not only being a part of this congregation, but also by being able to worship with three generations of my family.
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