"Come to Me"

Jesus entered the synagogue. There was a man there that had a withered hand. They watched Jesus closely to see if he would cure him on the sabbath so that they might accuse him. He said to the man with the withered hand, "Come up here before us." Then he said to the Pharisees, "Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath rather than do evil, to save life rather than destroy it?" But they remained silent. Looking around at them with anger and grieved at their hardness of heart, Jesus said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." He stretched it out and his hand was restored. The Pharisees went out and immediately took counsel with the Herodians against him to put him to death. 

Lord Jesus, you know all things before they happen, and you grieved at the Pharisees hardness of heart. Then commanding the man to stretch out his hand, you restored it. At that point the Pharisees and the Herodians conspired to put you to death.

Today, Lord, your message is clearer than ever. "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." 

Our salvation and healing are guaranteed if we heed the calling of our Lord Jesus. And just as it was two thousand years ago, the wolves gather together to devour the Lamb. Lord Jesus, we do come to you, we repent of our sinfulness, and we pray for the grace of strength never to offend you again. Amen.