The “U-Shaped” Gospel Application in Counsel

Posted on October 20, 2025 by cindajustsaid

How can we apply the Gospel to Everyday Life?

Many believers confess with their mouths that “Jesus is Lord,” yet struggle to connect that confession with the small, ordinary moments of daily life. The gospel is not merely the doorway into salvation—it’s the pathway of transformation we walk every single day. Seeing the life of Jesus in your every day life comes from understanding the shape of the gospel in our life. This shape is a “U” shape.

Romans 10:8 proclaims that “the word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart.” The gospel isn’t distant or abstract; it’s present within “U”, the believer. Starting at the Incarnation of Christ, He descended into our broken world, lived a perfect and sinless life that we could not (2 Corinthians 5:21) and bore our sin on the cross (1 Peter 2:24). He died and was buried (1 Corinthians 15:3-5), resurrected and ascended to the Father—completing what Theologian Kevin Vanhoozer called the “U-Shaped Gospel*.” His descent into our pain and His resurrection life now shape our identity and our responses to daily challenges. We live out the gospel in Jesus’ life, death, resurrection and present position.

In biblical counseling, this truth becomes intensely practical. For example, when you face rejection, remember: Christ was rejected so that you could be accepted by the Father. When you are tempted to strive for worth through performance, rest in the finished work of Jesus, who fulfilled the law perfectly on your behalf. When you feel powerless to change, recall that the same Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead lives in you (Romans 8:11). Do you have His Holy Spirit living with in you?

The gospel reorients our hearts from doing for approval to living from acceptance. It reshapes how we think, feel, and act. Here are some examples:

  • In relationships: Jesus took away the sins of the world (1 John 2:22). We forgive because we’ve been forgiven (Colossians 3:13).
  • In work: We serve as unto Christ, not for human praise (Colossians 3:17).
  • In suffering: Jesus suffered and we too will suffer yet bear it in Christ (Luke 24:36, Acts 9:16, Romans 8:17, 1 Peter 2:20).
  • In seeking: Give me the mind of Christ so I see my position in you (Colossians 3:1-3).

Applying the gospel daily means confessing truth over our hearts instead of listening to lies. It’s reminding ourselves and joyfully living in that Jesus is enough—today, in this conversation, in this decision and we “confess it” to be truth. It’s remembering that righteousness is not achieved by law-keeping but received by faith as we live in the imputed righteousness only through the “U” shaped gospel in Jesus Christ.

So, speak it: “Jesus is Lord.” Believe it in your heart. Let His descent into your brokenness and His resurrection power lift you into new and eternal life. Every moment—mundane or miraculous—becomes an opportunity to live out the gospel’s “U-shaped” rhythm: life in Christ, death to sin, and at times; humility, persecution, surrender, and life in the resurrection hope as we are seated with Christ and as we await our final glorification.

PRAY: Jesus, I want to live for U each day. Show me how how your life is in me and where I am in my faith walk with U, what you have planned for my purpose on earth and how it relates to the finished work of the gospel. Give me your Holy Spirit, assist my life in U alone, help me die to my own sin, forgiven and forgiving. Would U bless me and heal me when I suffer, so that I can live in the power of the resurrection and be seated along with U now, as you have confirmed in scripture? In U, Jesus, I pray. Amen

*Taken from my “Confess It” Biblical Theology II paper at Westminster Theological Seminary, 2013.

#Ushapedgospel – What Jesus did 4 U belongs 2 U

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Understanding The Heart of A Turtle: Biblical Insights for Christian Counselors

Posted on June 10, 2025 by cindajustsaid
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TOOLBOX for Counselors

“At the heart of everything we do is the Honu (Turtle)- the Hawaiian symbol for longevity and spiritual wisdom rooted in an eternal oneness between land, people and sea.”  LAIRD

I was recovering from foot surgery in 2022 and watched a most excellent biography on YouTube on the life of Laird Hamilton called “Take Every Wave”. I am often inspired and always relish a biography for life understanding. I also take biographies with biblical analogy and relate how they can be used in personal growth and counsel of another. You know we don’t mimic or adapt another’s life (I won’t be riding a wave on Laird’s hydrofoil board any time soon) because God has created us all so uniquely and for a special purpose that is our very own. But Laird’s life story encouraged me to accept the challenge of recovery and as a water-exercise practitioner myself, to allow the natural element of water to strengthen me then.

Earlier in my life, precisely in 1976, my dad was one of our swim team coaches, and during that time, he shared a book with me called “Character Sketches—Pages of Scripture Illustrated in the World of Nature.” Besides Bible characters related to various animals, the book also taught me analogies and concepts from our Creator in anything of His good earth. Amazingly, I still have that book in my home library and have shared it here and there over the years, and I will do so again this summer with my grandsons as we talk turtles, turtles, and more turtles! To them, I am “Nonna and her turtles”!

Naturally for me, “the turtle” has become an increasing conceptual theme I’ve loved for over a decade and blends well with the “Draw a Picture” or “Discuss a Photo” tool to  spring board discussion for heart and character issues during counsel and with scripture:

Here’s how: 

1. The Shell – Self-Protection and Fear

• Analogy: A turtle hides in its shell when it senses danger. Likewise, people often retreat emotionally, spiritually, or relationally when they feel threatened, hurt, or ashamed. (Ask: Is there something you are afraid of, hiding from or ashamed of?”).

• Counseling Point: While some protection is natural, staying in the “shell” could lead to isolation, bitterness, and a lack of vulnerability. God wants us to trust Him and peak out of our protective shells. God offers a better refuge than our own defenses. Instead of hiding, we are invited to bring our fears and wounds into the light of Christ and His people (James 5:16).

• “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1)

• “Perfect love casts out fear.” (1 John 4:18)

2. The Slow Pace – Growth Takes Time

• Analogy: Turtles move slowly, but they do keep moving forward.

• Counseling Point: Spiritual growth, healing, or overcoming sin patterns often feels slow. That’s okay—God is patient, and He calls us to perseverance. God values steady faithfulness. Don’t despise slow progress—celebrate it. Stay the course with Him.

• “He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion…” (Philippians 1:6)

• “Let us not grow weary of doing good…” (Galatians 6:9)

3.  Hard Exterior, Soft Inside – Emotional and Spiritual Vulnerability

• Analogy: A turtle looks tough on the outside but is tender and soft inside.

• Counseling Point: Christians are often taught to appear strong, but this can hide emotional wounds or struggles. God is not looking for outer strength but inward surrender. He desires honesty and humility over toughness.

• “Man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7)

• “A broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.” (Psalm 51:17)

4. The Shell is Carried Everywhere – Carrying Burdens

• Analogy: A turtle carries its shell wherever it goes—it can’t lay it down.

• Counseling Point: Some burdens seem like they can’t be put down—chronic struggles, past trauma, or long-term consequences. Even if the burden doesn’t go away, Jesus walks with you. He sustains you under the weight, and sometimes He even transforms it into something redemptive.

• “Cast your burdens on the Lord, and He will sustain you…” (Psalm 55:22)

• “Come to me… I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28-30)

5. The Journey – Heading Toward the Goal

• Analogy: A turtle may not move quickly, but it keeps heading in the right direction.

• Counseling Point: Progress in the Christian life isn’t about speed but direction and persistence in faith. Keep your eyes on Christ. You may be slow, tired, or carrying wounds—but He is both your destination and your strength for the journey.

• “Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus…” (Hebrews 12:1–2)

More TOOLS to  Use in Counseling

• Journaling Prompt: “In what areas of your life do you feel like a turtle? Where are you hiding, slowing down, or carrying something too heavy?” Listen to God in prayer, what is he showing you in your heart? Write it out, accept it and move along in Him.

  • Prayer: Invite God to be the true shell, your refuge, your strength. Dear Lord, How I have _______________in my shell. Would you assist me in the Holy Spirit to trust you to ____________ so I can steadily move in Your care alone? I trust you now, Amen

• Homework: Meditate on Psalm 91, imagining God’s wings as your new ‘shell.’ Contemplate His protective love for you!

At the heart of everything a biblical counselor does, is the Triune God; Father, Son and Holy Spirit who creates a oneness in you to accept the loving relationship He established before the foundations of the world. Embrace Him in your ministry and life.

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Do you know?

Posted on February 16, 2025 by cindajustsaid
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Discovering Jesus the Creator of your eternal soul

A drop of dew reflecting the light of the heavens sat on a blade of grass in my backyard as I looked out my bedroom window that night fifty years ago. I am not alone. There is an eternal light connected to my soul, I think. God has made Himself known in creation, in a quiet space. Curious, I am at peace knowing the unknown.

“Let there be…” (Genesis 1:3ff), He said it, and it was. Our preeminent head speaks to us as Christ the Word and as Christ the Creator. All things are His in all of creation and “All things were made in Him” (John 1:1-3).

He comes to us in many ways always representing what was, what is and what will be for us yet without changing the mastery of Himself that exists from all eternity (Hebrews 13:8). His ways are not our ways, nor are our thoughts His thoughts (Isaiah 55:8). He is higher than the heavens, way beyond anything we could think or imagine. 

But we have a worldview of origins based on learned assumptions or observations of the nature of life, relationships, and reality as truth. Even before grade-school, but especially there, systems of this world began to influence our thoughts that cause us to question life’s meaning. Yet we know our intrinsic and mental explanation of fundamental beliefs about physical existence includes the “logos”, our Word who made the heavens, the earth and all that is in it.

“Over time, as the ancient philosophers pondered these questions, they came up with a term to describe this ultimate reality, and the term they came up with was logos. The logos came to be understood as that which gave life and meaning to the universe. Within the realm of Greek philosophy, however, this logos was largely understood to be an impersonal force, not a personal being.” (https://learn.ligonier.org/devotionals/logos Ligonier JULY 23, 2024 Theology\Jesus Christ\The Person of Christ).

Maker and Ruler, Jesus breathed life into the mass variety of creation as He spoke us into existence through his distinctive hand. Compare the differences between the weird but fascinating argonaut, or paper nautilus octopus, to the small petite yellow warbler bird you see on the tree limb. How their environments of water and air clash in conflict but simultaneously display God’s divine life-giving diversity in His creatures. He’s made them all (Colossians 1:16).

Thinking back to the small light outside my window still etched in my memory today, I know now how He has formed me intricately so that I live today, and from all eternity (Psalm 139:13, Ephesians 1:4). Because He called me and I answered “YES”, I now have His resurrection power to live in Him to receive this eternal life source, His very self; the person of Jesus Christ. As we accept the One who made all things, hear the Living Word and say along with our ancient prophet Isaiah, “Lord, you have indeed done for us all our works (v. 26:12)”.

PRAY: Our magnificent Creator Jesus, All was made in You and for You and through You. We glorify and bless You to ordain to us peace and understanding for our unending life in You. Thank you for creating my mind, my body, my spirt and my soul. Amen

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Living Water

Posted on January 27, 2024 by cindajustsaid

On Being Well

“The Lord sustains them on their sickbed and restores them from their bed of illness.” Psalm 41:3

Who do we look to for advice when things go sideways or when our health fails? Is our first “call” to Jesus to govern our care? Or the doctor—-asap!!! I know many, including myself, who reach out to a friend who may respond to our distress, hoping for comfort and care and consoling words to confirm our suffering is real. But there is a friend who is closer than a brother—-It’s our brother, the Lord Jesus Christ—also known to many as Jehovah Rapha, the God who heals. We can trust that He will oversee our plights.

“Jehovah”, which comes from the Hebrew word “Havah” can be translated as “to be” or “to exist” or “to become known”. Our LORD is known by us and He knows us. By adding the Hebrew  “Rapha”, Jehovah-Rapha means “to restore” or “to heal” in faith, to be healed now and to know His healing. One of the first times God revealed Himself as our Healer was through a miracle that some may, today, call a chemical experiment that saved the Israelites when they were freed from slavery in Egypt. As they wandered around the desert, searching for their promised land, God was able to make water drinkable from a bitter river by commanding them to throw a piece of wood into it so they could be healed.

Now let’s read the insightful Matthew Henry’s Commentary on this story in Exodus 15:22-27:

“In the wilderness of Shur the Israelites had no water. At Marah they had water, but it was bitter; so that they could not drink it. God can make bitter to us that from which we promise ourselves most, and often does so in the wilderness of this world, that our wants, and disappointments in the creature, may drive us to the Creator, in whose favour alone true comfort is to be had. In this distress the people fretted, and quarrelled with Moses. Hypocrites may show high affections, and appear earnest in religious exercises, but in the time of temptation they fall away. Even true believers, in seasons of sharp trial, will be tempted to fret, distrust, and murmur. But in every trial we should cast our care upon the Lord, and pour out our hearts before him. We shall then find that a submissive will, a peaceful conscience, and the comforts of the Holy Ghost, will render the bitterest trial tolerable, yea, pleasant. Moses did what the people had neglected to do; he cried unto the Lord. And God provided graciously for them. He directed Moses to a tree which he cast into the waters, when, at once, they were made sweet. Some make this tree typical of the cross of Christ, which sweetens the bitter waters of affliction to all the faithful, and enables them to rejoice in tribulation. But a rebellious Israelite shall fare no better than a rebellious Egyptian. The threatening is implied only, the promise is expressed. God is the great Physician. If we are kept well, it is he that keeps us; if we are made well, it is he that recovers us. He is our life and the length of our days. Let us not forget that we are kept from destruction, and delivered from our enemies, to be the Lord’s servants. At Elim they had good water, and enough of it. Though God may, for a time, order his people to encamp by the bitter waters of Marah, that shall not always be their lot. Let us not faint at tribulations.“

When was the last time you enjoyed our Living Water?

When we suffer, we go through a dry desert of inner-quandry, often deceiving ourselves through inner self-condemning  thoughts. Or maybe you are carrying someone else’s guilt? Or overthinking an issue? The pain you endure has a metaphysical component of thought. But God, through His loving Son, Jesus and the Holy Spirit will fill us with living water (John 4:10-11, 7:37-38) and repair our wrongful inner views of self, giving us the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16). His voice through the Word and the Spirit realigns us to what is indeed true and good in our lives while causing us to lay down our sinful pride or self-righteousness, or when we only depend upon ourselves (or our nearby advisors through texting) or the world and not His knowledge and work in us through the Holy Spirit.

When was the last time you asked your able and available Jehovah-Rapha to heal you? I’m here for you, so contact me to be counseled towards health and wholeness in Christ. He is the one that fulfills us as no one else can. Cindasaid@me.com

“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” Psalm 147:3

“My peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27

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Will you give me a drink? John 4:5-10

Posted on March 21, 2023 by cindajustsaid

Jacob’s well—-a place to go or a place to avoid? For Jesus, it was a place to go and ask for a cool drink after a tiring journey on foot. He was alone and saw a Samaritan woman with an empty cistern about to draw water. As the Son of Man, he would become thirsty like you and me and the circumstances brought a divine appointment for her to experience living water through his personal inquiry.

In his day, research shows that when a man asked a woman for a drink of water, it could imply much more than a simple and kind beverage service. But she was trying to avoid others in the noonday heat. She had enough past husbands, and I think that she most likely did not want to have another.

In contrast, I wonder if Jacob did indeed meet his beloved Rachel at this very well (Genesis 29:1-14)?  The custom showed it was where you went to water your flock or socialize and find your future wife:

“The incipient symbolism of the romantic meeting at the well is easy to see: the arrival of the man from a distant land represents the “otherness” of the relationship, the drawing of the water establishes a bond…” says Enslinger in his “The Wooing of the Woman at the Well..”.

After an exchange of discovery, the Samaritan woman is the one who receives the tall cool drink of satisfaction from Jesus, the long awaited Messiah— salvation through becoming known to her Savior. This fulfillment comes from a deep well that sweetly quenches the thirst of any parched mouth. And despite culture and past, Jesus’ unconventional way lands him at Jacob’s well, a place the disciples had learned to stay clear of. 

Jesus doesn’t avoid sinners, however. Quite the opposite. He proposes to them, bids them to come to him, the waiting bridegroom. He initiates conversation with you at the places he deems to do so, bringing joy and salvation to the one who receives Him. 

The Samaritan woman didn’t know then, but later Jesus would thirst again, to the extent of not being quenched when He hung on the cross to fully take away her sin and yours (Psalm 69:19-21, John 19:28). Like her, you can worship in spirit and in truth and tell others what Jesus has done for you. So take a cool drink or plunge deeply into the fountain of living water with Him. He waits for you in hope that his Bride, the church, will never thirst again. 

PRAY: Our consummate Jesus, we praise You for the fulfillment at Jacob’s well of the revelation of You, the Messiah Christ! You are the Bridegroom we sinners have longed for and need. We want to know You more and be known by You. Move us to not avoid people but instead to go to those who so desperately thirst. Amen

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Cinda Marturano, M.A.

Posted on February 1, 2023 by cindajustsaid

Cinda Marturano, M.A. Counselor and Advisor 

Cinda Marturano is a Master of Arts in Biblical Counseling from Westminster Theological Seminary and holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Villanova University. She has completed 3 levels of biblical counseling training with the Christian Counseling and Educational Foundation and holds an apologetics certificate from there as well. Since 2007, she has counseled those whom suffer with anxiety, depression, anger, as well as physical detriments. As the founder of Deep Waters Ministry, she manages grants given to discipleship, christian education, biblical counseling and caring projects locally and world-wide. Cinda receives each counselee as a unique creation. As we are created in the image of God and find redemption in Jesus alone, her methods bring a full picture of the Christian identity as it relates to the gospel. She counsels individuals, and not “labels” although medical professionals are of reference through out counseling for self-understanding. She has helped clients with methods of a prayerful and Christian perspective of the will of God in the work needed for continued growth in an individual; sanctification. Cinda charges on a sliding scale based on economic ability with a process of meeting twice before commitment is made on either end. You can meet in her home office in Malvern, PA or at your church or school, under the parent, pastor or principal’s knowledge of your care. Send an email to cindasaid@me.com for inquiry and availability processes.

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“It’s Not About You”

Posted on October 13, 2022 by cindajustsaid

When you counsel, advise and serve others, remember that it is God’s work through you. I am so thankful to my Lord Jesus for teaching me lessons of humility as it relates to being insulted and slandered while serving in the church. God certainly looks out for us when He calls us to love and serve others and I am grateful for the eye-opening experience of His call to servanthood for other’s sake, despite the pain. God gives us grace and wisdom when being sharpened in the cogs of the ministry wheel. I praise Him for teaching me what it means to travel from anguish in the Garden of Gethsemane “Lord, take this away”, to “but not as I will, but as you will”. May His sacrifice, not mine, be respected and glorified for all to see if he calls me to carry the cross. It’s about the gospel, not me.

After learning lessons of humility, the storm dies down and there is a peaceful confidence for me that no one can take away, a humble rejoicing. I didn’t want to go through an unusual indescribable situation but now I am nothing and I realize the joy in that. Prior to my big lesson of over 15 years ago, I thought it was up to me and my gifting, but now I realize that Jesus works undercover and our work may be unseen for others and His sake. It’s not about recognition, but His redemption through the gospel.

“Such is the confidence that we have through Christ toward God. Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God…”. 2 Corinthians 3:4,5 ESV

“He must increase while I must decrease (John 3:30)” is learned in true humility. In counseling, this means to obey God and follow His will through the Word while voluntarily submitting to His direction in the truth of the Spirit. Other times this means over-extending ourselves, putting others first and not demanding justice when wronged. At first, when I learned this meekness, I was astonished with the constant humility and self-deprecation, as something odd were happening (1 Peter 4:12). But the blessing in a counseling session that involves being humble is a true joy because He is right along side me, and through me He allows me to bring Him forward and together we see Jesus in action for the counselee; a matter of the heart. That makes me rejoice and smile because it’s not about us, it’s about His life and His glory in the lives of those we counsel. When others try to make it “about us”, we need to remember that God is showing them humility by bringing us to our knees, together. (written January 29, 2011 at Westminster Theological Seminary, “Counseling in the Local Church” with Dr. Tim Lane.)

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Straighten Me Out!

Posted on August 28, 2022 by cindajustsaid

Balance, Alignment and Peace in Total Health

It was May of 2016 and I stepped out of the end of a pilates class with a great group of people. I thought about my balance from a year before when I had a mild TBI and needed 10 months of physical therapy from three different specialists, one for vestibular balance. It occurred to me how the class and prior trainings had given me the alignment of both sides of my body and I was at peace, physically speaking.

It’s great to know that one hour of exercise can give us what we need to have a form of homeostasis with our bodies—the tendency toward a relatively stable equilibrium between interdependent elements, especially as maintained by physiological processes. My right and left foot were equally planted along with a developed core. Wholeness of our inner-selves relates, however, to have peace and unity with God and others in the faith (Ephesians 4:1-6). As we are strengthened and find balance, we strengthen others towards peace so that no other mortal word but “peace” brings such pleasure to us. Yet sometimes we have a disordered sense of peace, where our priorities are self-serving and out of wack with good intentions. 

We struggle and cannot enjoy peace because of a distortion of crossing the line of natural order in a form of personal and selfish regulation only, it’s much more than putting these things on myself! In the book of Job, his final appeal to God includes questions of wonder, such as Where is God in this? “If I have walked with falsehood and my foot has hastened to deceit; (Let me be weighed in a just balance, and let God know my integrity!) if my step has turned aside from the way and my heart has gone after my eyes, and if any spot has stuck to my hands, then let me sow, and another eat, and let what grows for me be rooted out.” Job 31:5-8 esv

Our spiritual selves, through the source of peace in Jesus—the Holy Spirit, is combined with our emotions and inner thoughts and also need to be in alignment with our Triune God. The balance we need in life includes a focus that is true north, keeping eyes forward and feet solidly planted. We can be stretched to the limits, and must persist and have perseverance to the end. We know how “the peace of all things is the tranquility of order. This lends to the peace of the body in the duly proportioned arrangements of its parts giving us our eternal law of the well-ordered and obedient life—-spiritual health in Christ. The peace of body and soul is the well-ordered harmonious life and health of the living and is both now and in the hearafter”, (a conclusive paraphrase I found in the premise of St. Augustine’s City of God, Book 19).

Pray: LORD God, give us your peace and health now as we live in the eternal light of Jesus Christ and the hope found only in Him. I confess I can be miserable when I see disordered lives and falsity playing out in the world and I am thrown off-balance. Straighten me out and show me Your way. LORD, when I turn into myself mistakenly and do not trust You, forgive me. Continue to help me serve YOU so I am aligned with your true and good principles, once again, and grant us your peace. Amen

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Alive and Well in Christ Jesus?

Posted on March 8, 2022 by cindajustsaid

“God of the living” Luke 20:36-38

I had an incident as a child that perhaps you also may have experienced in one form or another. I accidentally dropped an old-fashioned thermometer and the mercury beaded out on to the floor. Although warned not to touch, I vividly remember the wonder of watching the silvery pieces come back together as I nudged them with the pencil tip. Nothing was more exciting as I realized how they were meant to be together with full elemental unity. 

There is an infinite momentum that keeps us alive and brings us together! As the Son of God is from the Father, through the catalyst, our Holy Spirit, they remain One, and we are one in them (John 17:11). And like the splintered mercury, Our Father God had to separate His son so we may be in the land of the living, rejoining with our God-head into eternity. We are also one in the resurrection.

B.B. Warfield said, “Christ is everything a man is for eternity.” We will reach our fullest potential in Him, but not yet. We cannot be separated from God as we are confirmed by the resurrection where death has no sting; death has died. The dead are raised! And another great, Geerhardus Vos, said that our faith comes from “He himself who perfectly encompasses and governs it“, showing us how we see that our very being belongs to God who oversees our lives. Trust in The Creator’s sovereign care through the Holy Spirit given to you.

Has your heart been proven true that you are never fully consumed but you are alive and awake in the living Christ? Our union with Christ is our daily mainstay, dear Christian. He is our very breath. And the unquenchable fire. How amazing our lives in Christ Jesus are as we participate in life with Him. Our union in Him is with a promise to blaze forever, as we are fed through His eternal source in the Word of God, and with others of the faith.

PRAY: Our Triune Lord, we praise and honor You alone as we know how we have life in you.  Through You, we live and move and have our being (read Acts 17:24-28). We thank You how we are not “dead men walking”. God of the living, help us to live for you each day. Be our ongoing, organic photosynthesis, growing us in the light of your Being in the land of the living. Be our inextinguishable fire now. Show us how that works in our lives today. For your glory, Amen.

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Caring as Jesus cares

Posted on February 9, 2022 by cindajustsaid

“Is it Lawful to Heal on the Sabbath?” A Devotion from  Luke 14:1-6 (esv).

On a particular Sabbath, the day of rest for the Jews, we see the Master as a master teacher of hearts. As Jesus was being watched carefully in a possible set-up, He was a few steps ahead of the Pharisees and lawyers, responding, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath, or not?”. He went straight to the living reality of their lives prior to His act of healing the man amongst them who suffered from “dropsy” or modern-day edema. 

His question tested their kind-heartedness, not their expert knowledge of the 613 levitical laws created from the mosaic commandments so they could have salvation by works. Most likely, they weren’t expecting Jesus to bring them into what was good and right in their own lives. They were silent in response when questioned as our merciful Jesus took the diseased man, healed him and sent him away. He proved the priority of love in His new covenant salvation by faith!

He returned to convict the hearts of all gathered, demonstrating not only the hypocrisy of the Pharisees, but pointing out their potential existing considerations of kindness and mercy. Jesus goes a step further with them, making it personal; their very own son, the essential working ox. If you love your own so much, can’t you also love your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 2:39)? They are again silenced and could not reply as they must have known how Jesus was right. 

Our Lord of the Sabbath saw beyond the schemes of man into wicked accusing hearts, uninhibited to do what was right. He cancelled the hypocrisy of man’s impossible laws, and demonstrated the superior eternal law of love for mankind. Salvation in Christ Jesus depends upon the law accomplished in Him. His love is the fulfillment of the law (Romans 13:8-10; Galatians 5:14). For when we have Christ we also have His righteous love.

Dear Jesus, Your law of love is superior to any way we know. Please convict our hearts when we think we have all the answers. Teach us not to fool ourselves in self-righteous views of others but to actually care for their welfare. Help us to not remain silent once convicted by You, Jesus. But instead, assist our words towards love, mercy and forgiveness with sincere hearts, so you may be glorified in our lives. Amen

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