Devotions Inspired by the Fresh Start BibleSample

Nourished and Restored

By Jade Washington

As the Pharisees were plotting to kill Jesus, He was leading His disciples through a grain field where they plucked the heads of grain from the stalks because they were hungry. However, it was the Sabbath, and the Pharisees took issue with it. “Look, your disciples are breaking the law by harvesting grain on the Sabbath” (Matthew 12:2). 

Later in the same chapter, Jesus went into the synagogue and saw a man with a withered hand. The Pharisees asked Him if it was lawful to heal on the Sabbath. Of course, Jesus healed the man saying, “It is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.”     

He had allowed His disciples to be nourished by grain, and He healed the broken. 

The Pharisees led from a place of jealousy and arrogance, but Jesus led from a place of authority and compassion. He saw people as children—not competition. More importantly though, what we see in Matthew 12 is that the Pharisees valued the law and works, but Jesus valued people. And that’s what He’s teaching us. 

When we grow closer to Him, we begin to see as He sees. Our compassion for others grows, and we begin to value others even more. As we are nourished in Him, we see the hungry and the weary. As we are restored in Him, we see the broken and ashamed. As we rest in Him, we are strengthened to lift up those who are down. 

In today’s passage of Scripture, Christ reveals the heart of the Father. His compassion changed those around Him. That same freedom and authority is available to us today as we allow ourselves to be nourished and restored by Him. 

Prayer

God, thank You that a love for You leads to a love and compassion for others. Help me to see those around me who are struggling, and help me to be a vessel of Your restoration in their lives. In Jesus’ name, Amen. 

Memory Verse

“Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” Matthew 11:28–30