Value drives our behavior. We go the extra mile for things, people, and returns that we value. It’s that simple.

If we value belonging, we join a group. If we value money, we try our best to acquire it. If we value attention, we become ostentatious. If we value an heirloom, we display it and guard it and preserve it. If we value food, we become a foodie. If we value books, we accumulate a library full of them. If we value our health, we will change our behavior to optimize it, particularly if it’s threatened.

When something or someone we cherish becomes threatened, we do anything to protect our valued belongings.

Jesus’ lesson for the Pharisees and scribes that day as told by Luke in today’s scripture was not about the employment someone had or what Pharisaic rule they had broken. Jesus saw r…