Edema is an excessive amount of fluid in the tissues.  In the Scriptures it is called “dropsy”.
It is uncomfortable and can be a symptom of a serious disease or illness.

On a Sabbath, an unnamed man, was in front of Jesus in a house of one of the leaders of the Pharisees.  The man was suffering from edema.  Was he a “plant” by the Pharisees?  We don’t know, the Scripture doesn’t say.

Jesus was invited to have a meal there.  He was also closely watched by the legalistic men who were there.  They were ready to accuse Him of breaking God’s laws.  

They must have asked a question because, first Jesus answered then asked the lawyers and the Pharisees, who were also there, a legal question.

“Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath, or not?”  Silence.  Not one word was spoken by those in opposition to Jesus.  Luke 14:1-3 NASB

What did Jesus do next, what did He say?
“And He took hold of him (the man with dropsy) and healed him and sent him away.” Luke 14:4 NASB

Whether the man was a ‘plant’ or not, was being used by those who opposed Jesus.  The suffering man was used as a means to “catch” Jesus doing something, anything, against God’s laws.  Jesus got him out of there.

Were the legalists interested in the man who was truly suffering?  I think not.  They had no compassion or interest in the man on a personal level.  Their focus was on Jesus. 

Have you ever been in that position of being used?  It is uncomfortable for the person being used and unfortunate that people do that… to anyone for any reason.

“Using people” is not compassionate… it is without mercy and it is not tenderly caring for others.

Jesus probably looked around that room and He did say,
“Which of you will have a son or an ox fall into a well, and will not immediately pull him out on a Sabbath day?”  Luke 14:5

This was a straight-forward question with an obvious compassionate action of saving whatever or whoever had fallen into a well.

The legalists tried to put Jesus in a bad light but they “could make no reply to this.”
Luke 14:6

~ Take it to heart ~

Are you a follower of Jesus? 
If so, show compassion and Tender Loving Care for those who are suffering.