Bryan Wade: Welcome back to the Sandals Church podcast. On this special episode, we're slowing down together. No rush. No agenda. Just a few minutes to meditate on God's word and sit in his presence.
We know life doesn't stop moving. It's busy, noisy, and often messy. But even in the middle of it all, God invites us to come close, to rest, to breathe, and to remember who he is. Wherever you find yourself today, know this. God's spirit is with you.
So take a deep breath, settle in, and allow his word to meet you right where you are.
Dani Crowley: As you've grown to love God's word, you may find yourself captured by the stories, particularly those that let you see Jesus up close. It's a beautiful thing to eagerly anticipate and engage in the lives of the faithful and the forgiven. Sometimes though, rather than taking the fullness of a story, lingering in one moment allows us to narrow our focus and God to speak in a fresh, new way. Let's return to our reading of Matthew 12. As you listen to the words imagine yourself in the moment, as if standing on the sidelines observing it unfold before you.
Engage your senses, sight, sound, and touch, and simply notice what stands out to you. Jesus was walking through some grain fields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry, so they began breaking off some heads of grain and eating them. But some Pharisees saw them do it and protested. Look, your disciples are breaking the law by harvesting grain on the Sabbath.
Jesus said to them, haven't you read in the scriptures what David did when he and his companions were hungry? He went into the house of God, and he and his companions broke the law by eating the sacred loaves of bread that only the priests are allowed to eat. And haven't you read in the law of Moses that the priests on duty in the temple may work on the Sabbath? I tell you, there is one here who is even greater than the temple. But you would not have condemned my innocent disciples if you knew the meaning of the scripture.
I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices. For the son of man is Lord, even over the Sabbath. As you observed that moment, was there a word or phrase that held your attention? Were there any feelings or sensations that felt similar? Maybe an emotion that rose up within you.
Did you have a question or wonder over a detail? There are no wrong answers. So just see what you see. Let's magnify the moment even further as Jesus says, I tell you, there is one here who is even greater than the temple. But you would not have condemned my innocent disciples if you knew the meaning of this scripture.
I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices. What do those words mean to you? Do you relate, understand, or agree? How do you see Jesus? How do you see yourself?
As you revisit the idea of showing mercy over offering sacrifice, what comes to mind? As we close this time, give God room to speak. He may have something to say now or he might bring these words to mind again later. That's okay. If he's spoken, listen.
What will you carry with you? What will you leave behind? Jesus, thank you for giving me eyes to see this moment and the time to hear from you. Continue to speak through your word so I can listen, learn, and live in step with your truth. I love you, Jesus.
Amen.
Bryan Wade: As we close the guided part of this episode, we want to invite you to linger in this space a little longer if you can. Let God's word settle deep into your heart. At Sandals Church, we're passionate about helping people grow an authentic relationship with Jesus, and we believe that journey happens through small moments over time. If you'd like more content like this, the Sandals Church app is a great place to start. It's a simple way to keep creating space for God to move in your life every day.
We pray this time has blessed you and drawn you closer to Jesus. May his spirit continue to lead you, shape you, and form you into his image.