Jesus heals a woman who was afflicted by pain and suffering for 18 years. Jesus enables the woman to straighten herself, and in the process, the Pharisees seek to straighten Jesus out for healing on the Sabbath. Missing the moment, their rigidity causes them to miss the reason to rejoice in front of them.

Many recognize the need for change in our lives, but we rarely have an urgency. Jesus speaks of the brevity of life while also reminding us that true change is possible in Him.

One does not have to look far to find division all around us. So why would Jesus highlight that following Him will bring division? Why does He encourage us to pay attention to the times? And why is he giving legal advice to settle up with an accuser before going before the judge? As always Jesus is looking beyond the surface symptom, to the root and what is shaping our hearts.

How we live when no one is looking matters. It reveals who we really are and what we really believe. Jesus reminds his disciples to be ready for the return of the Lord at any moment. To live each day as though the Lord may return. To live each day with our eyes fixed on Him.

Jesus is not afraid to talk about anything, including money. How we steward our resources is a good barometer of who we are. The Kingdom of God is generous, and following Jesus should shape the way we spend, give, and share our resources. What we have, we have been given, so how do we live a life that is rich toward God?

So often we live for the applause, approval, or affirmation of others. This can limit our willingness to follow Jesus with all of who we are because we are afraid of how people will respond when we do. Jesus reminds us that we live for an audience of one. When we acknowledge Him, He sees us, cares for us, and is with us.

Warning signs are made for a reason. They are meant to catch your attention from dangerous conditions that affect us all. As Jesus speaks with the Pharisees, He reminds them and us of the dangers of doing good works just to be seen as good, of pointing out the flaws of others to make ourselves feel better, and saying one thing while living another.

The longer you stay in the dark, the more your eyes adjust to the shadows. Jesus reminds us that what our eyes take in matters. Are we focusing on things of the dark or on the light? What we consume consumes us to be lights for His good, we must fix our eyes on the true light of the world.