“And the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because that Jesus had healed on the sabbath day, and said unto the people, There are six days in which men ought to work: in them therefore come and be healed, and not on the sabbath day. The Lord then answered him, and said, Thou hypocrite, doth not each one of you on the sabbath loose his ox or his ass from the stall, and lead him away to watering? And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day? And when he had said these things, all his adversaries were ashamed: and all the people rejoiced for all the glorious things that were done by him.” Luke 13:14-17

Throughout Luke’s narrative in chapters 12-14, there is a continual theme that reemerges. It has to do with how people react to “Jesus being Jesus.”

When Jesus displays His wisdom and power as the Only Begotten Son of God, there are drastically opposing reactions to His words and deeds. Those who believe that Jesus truly came from God, give glory to God for what they see. Those who see Jesus as simply a man in their way try to find anything possible to complain about and bring reproach against Jesus.

The last verse quoted here shows the end result of each attitude. If a person does not like to see God blessing other people, his life will soon be full of shame. He will be disappointed and confused about Who God is and who he is himself.

On the other hand, if a person gives glory to God when he sees others blessed, he will find himself rejoicing even more!

Even if we do not fully understand how God is working, we should glorify God when we see Him expressing His love and compassion. Any other reaction attempts to rob God of His glory and gives us a sense of shame.