They come, a few at a time, then suddenly in a swarm it seems. They get right in your face, so you can’t just ignore them. They sneak up on you and lightly land on you in places that are not nice and slowly suck the blood of life from you in sheer delight. They leave lastly impressions with red bumps that itch like crazy. Yes, I have used all kinds of repellents, but there are always a few who seem stronger than the repellents. I really do not like mosquitoes! They are a curse to good times in the yard of good works. My desire is a beautiful garden free of mosquitoes!

Time to take a leap in our thinking. Now, let’s talk about the mosquitoes in Jesus ministry. Yes, we are talking about the pesky Pharisees. Read on…

Luke 6, The Message

In Charge of the Sabbath
6 1-2 On a certain Sabbath Jesus was walking through a field of ripe grain. His disciples were pulling off heads of grain, rubbing them in their hands to get rid of the chaff, and eating them. Some Pharisees said, “Why are you doing that, breaking a Sabbath rule?”

3-4 But Jesus stood up for them. “Have you never read what David and those with him did when they were hungry? How he entered the sanctuary and ate fresh bread off the altar, bread that no one but priests were allowed to eat? He also handed it out to his companions.”

5 Then he said, “The Son of Man is no slave to the Sabbath; he’s in charge.”

6-8 On another Sabbath he went to the meeting place and taught. There was a man there with a crippled right hand. The religion scholars and Pharisees had their eye on Jesus to see if he would heal the man, hoping to catch him in a Sabbath infraction. He knew what they were up to and spoke to the man with the crippled hand: “Get up and stand here before us.” He did.

9 Then Jesus addressed them, “Let me ask you something: What kind of action suits the Sabbath best? Doing good or doing evil? Helping people or leaving them helpless?”

10-11 He looked around, looked each one in the eye. He said to the man, “Hold out your hand.” He held it out—it was as good as new! They were beside themselves with anger, and started plotting how they might get even with him.

Those hovering, pesky Pharisees were no match for the Son of God, Jesus, our Savior and Lord. God created mosquitoes and He created the humans called Pharisees. Only Jesus, the One in charge of the Sabbath, the One who is KING of kings and LORD of lords could look them in the eye (can we just stop and imagine being looked at right in our eyes by the Master?) and tell them the Truth of God’s commands. Good works were completed.

The mosquitoes, I mean the Pharisees angrily went packing, knowing that Jesus got the best of them once again. But they will be back. It doesn’t matter. Jesus wins and Jesus lives! Remember that and be blessed by knowing and living like we know. With our words and actions, we either give life or suck it dry from others. Choose well. Joy and peace follows choosing well.

Dear Heavenly Father, As we celebrate this weekend, knowing that YOU are in charge of all, knowing that You came, died and rose again to pay our debt of sin in full, don’t let us be pesky mosquitoes that tear down other’s good works, but let us live a life that lifts others up. Help us to do good with a pure heart that follows Your lead, no matter what day of the week it is. Be with us. Direct us. Be our wisdom, insight and understanding for this is the repellent to all that might stop our growth in You.

In Jesus Name and by Your Power, Amen. I believe.