Biblical Account:

The miracle of the healing of a man with dropsy is recorded in the Gospel of Luke. This event takes place on the Sabbath, during a meal at the house of a prominent Pharisee. The account is found in Luke 14:1-6 :

"One Sabbath, Jesus went to eat in the home of a leading Pharisee, and those in attendance were watching Him closely. Right there before Him was a man with dropsy. So Jesus asked the experts in the law and the Pharisees, 'Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath or not?' But they remained silent. Then Jesus took hold of the man, healed him, and sent him on his way. And He asked them, 'Which of you whose son or ox falls into a pit on the Sabbath day will not immediately pull him out?' And they were unable to answer these questions."

Context and Significance:

The healing of the man with dropsy is significant for several reasons. Dropsy, known today as edema, is a condition characterized by the swelling of soft tissues due to the accumulation of excess fluid. In the ancient world, it was often seen as a symptom of a more serious underlying condition, and those afflicted were frequently marginalized.

This miracle is set against the backdrop of a Sabbath meal, a time when Jewish leaders were particularly observant of the law. Jesus' decision to heal on the Sabbath was a deliberate challenge to the prevailing interpretations of the law. By asking whether it was lawful to heal on the Sabbath, Jesus highlighted the tension between legalistic interpretations of the law and the law's underlying purpose of mercy and compassion.

Theological Implications:

The healing of the man with dropsy underscores Jesus' authority over the Sabbath and His role as the Lord of compassion. It illustrates the principle that the Sabbath was made for man's benefit, not as a burden. Jesus' actions reveal that acts of mercy and necessity are in harmony with God's intentions for the Sabbath.

Furthermore, this miracle serves as a critique of the Pharisees' legalism. By healing the man and posing a rhetorical question about rescuing a son or an ox on the Sabbath, Jesus exposes the inconsistency in their application of the law. The Pharisees' silence in response to Jesus' question indicates their inability to refute His logic and highlights their hardened hearts.

Lessons for Believers:

For contemporary believers, the healing of the man with dropsy is a reminder of the importance of compassion over ritualistic observance. It calls Christians to prioritize love and mercy in their interactions with others, reflecting the heart of Christ. This miracle also encourages believers to examine their own lives for areas where legalism may overshadow genuine compassion and to seek a balance that honors God's intentions for His commandments.Luke 14:2-4
And, behold, there was a certain man before him which had the dropsy.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Miracles of Healing Unsolicited.
... Does the doctrine of Christ, and by that I insist we ... The miracles were for the persons
on whom they passed ... is the cure of the man with the dropsy, wrought also ...
/.../macdonald/miracles of our lord/iv miracles of healing unsolicited.htm

On the Words of the Gospel, Matt. xv. 21,"Jesus Went Out Thence ...
... servant of God, had done the great miracles in Egypt ... were not willing to humble
themselves to Christ the author ... For instance, "This man has the dropsy, he is ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon xxvii on the words.htm

Of the Fourth Consideration of the Sacred, Holy Stigmata
... and the exceeding charity and mercy of Christ towards him ... to the world by clear and
evident miracles, such as ... years old, so greatly swollen with dropsy that he ...
/.../the little flowers of st francis of assisi/of the fourth consideration of.htm

The Life of S. Hilarion.
... men who was swollen with the dropsy was cured ... it, then sent up a prayer to Christ,
called forth ... through solitary lands, grieving that his miracles could speak ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/the life of s hilarion.htm

Jesus Heals a Leper and Creates Much Excitement.
... spreads inwardly, and ends in consumption, dropsy, suffocation, and ... meaning, always
hinders the work of Christ], ^c 16 ... human being as were his miracles] ^c and ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xxxiv jesus heals a leper.htm

Abraham, his Trial in Egypt; his Humility
... in a foreign land, [286]362; have Christ in them ... of the world might be effected without
miracles, if Christians ... with contentment, [399]81; like dropsy, [400]82 ...
/.../abraham his trial in egypt.htm

Lives of Faith and Trust
... The mystery of the miracles was explained to me. ... Close beside us stands a living
Christ.". ... The doctors declared that dropsy would supervene; but the Heavenly ...
/.../various/the wonders of prayer/lives of faith and trust.htm

A Description of Heart-Purity
... Covetousness is a dry dropsy, and because the thirst is not satisfied ... In this we
are to imitate Christ. ... him in raising the dead or in working miracles, but in ...
/.../16 a description of heart-purity.htm

Homilies on Philippians, Colossians, and Thessalonians.
... God's temple, ie, in Churches, [764]ib.; miracles of, [765 ... more disease to the soul
than dropsy to the ... by Angels, [1278]355; honored by meeting Christ, [1279]356 ...
/.../homilies on philippians colossians and.htm

On the Soul and the Resurrection.
... evil spirits [1816] shall rise in harmony the confession of Christ's Lordship ... who
has once chosen pleasure in this life, and has not cured his inconsiderateness ...
/.../gregory/gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/on the soul and the 2.htm

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