Lord, who is nigh and ever before their eyes and their minds, is both the source and the moderator of their gladness. Whatever is innocent in the way of enjoyment, whatever is necessary in the way of labor, whatever is good and useful in the way of benevolence can never be unlawful, be the day ever so holy, and any legislation or petty ordinances or cavilings to the contrary are Puritanic, Pharisaical, hypocritical.
Jesus, then, is dining with a distinguished company of Pharisees, on the Sabbath day, and they are watching Him. There is a marked contrast between the Guest's loving condescension and the malice of His entertainers. He, correct in outward form and interiorly righteous, presents a striking figure of religion pure and unspotted, but they illustrate religionism, for their hospitality, though effusive or perhaps excessive, is none the less hollow and insincere. They hate Him, in fact, and have purposely seated opposite to Him a man sick of the palsy, that, should Christ heal him, they may have in this breach of the Sabbath some ground for accusation. Here is an opportunity to emphasize a great truth, and Our Lord seizes it eagerly. With one hand He brushes aside the accumulated traditions and prejudices and absurdities which for ages have passed for godliness, and with the other He lays bare the very heart and essence of all religion by curing the palsied mac. His action is in line with His entire teaching and practice. "I will have mercy," He says, "and not sacrifice." " Not every man that saith to Me: Lord,
