The more we value people, the better we can help them. People are more important than what they do for a living. They are more valuable than “the letter of the law”. People matter to God. He died for them. He got up from the grave for them. He is coming back for them (those that receive Him.) People matter to God.

The religious leaders in Matthew 12 tried to get Jesus trapped by the letter of the law. They were focussed on their religious agenda. Jesus was focussed on helping people. He poses a question to them, that I believe He poses to us today: “Of how much more value is a man than a sheep?”

Today, it sometimes seems that people are more concerned about whales than they are the little fatherless kid. Some are more concerned about turtles than the small business owner who is losing his business. But, people matter to God.

After Jesus talks about the priority of people, he demonstrates it. He tells the man with the withered hand, “Stretch out your hand.” While the religious leaders were pontificating and posturing, Jesus was serving and saving. He valued the man, thus was able to help him.

People matter to God. God help us to be more like You.

You have the power today to tell someone, “stretch out your hand.” Who can you value and serve today?