Jesus Heals on the Sabbath - Mark 3
Jesus Heals on the Sabbath
3 Another time Jesus went into the synagogue, and a man with a shriveled hand was there. 2 Some of them were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, so they watched him closely to see if he would heal him on the Sabbath. 3 Jesus said to the man with the shriveled hand, “Stand up in front of everyone.”
4 Then Jesus asked them, “Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?” But they remained silent.
5 He looked around at them in anger and, deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts, said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was completely restored. 6 Then the Pharisees went out and began to plot with the Herodians how they might kill Jesus.
Reflection:
On another Sabbath, Jesus again went into the Sabbath, presumably to teach and also show forth his teaching with works of mercy and healing. This time it was a man with a shriveled hand, which probably prevented him from working. The Pharisees had laws about just who could be attended to on the Sabbath, and who could not be based on the severity of their sickness or disability. But in this case, they had an eye to catch Jesus in an offense, rather than having any compassion for the disabled man. Jesus wanted to show forth plainly what he was doing so he had the man stand up. He used it as a teaching example to reveal the hard hearts of the leaders. He asked a simple question. Which was lawful to do good or evil on the Sabbath? To bring life or death? He was hoping that the people would have compassion on the man, but they were so bent on catching him in a trap, they completely missed the point.
And we see Jesus was angry! We might say, how can Jesus get angry? Isn't that a sin? We must remember what Jesus was angry about, their hard hearts and stubbornness. This was all about control. Jesus threatened their power and control and they didn't like it. This is the same stubbornness that would prevent their belief. There are people today who also see the power of Jesus in the lives of people whose hearts and lives have been changed. But they dismiss it, and speak against it because they don't want to lose control either. In the end, Jesus completely heals the man, again showing that the Sabbath was made for man, not man made for the Sabbath. The Law leads to control and death, the Gospel leads to freedom and life.
Notice too that Jesus is distressed or saddened by their spiritual state. He so desires that they will come to a knowledge of the truth. He has taught the truth and showed them the truth, but they are still so obstinate and it makes him angry. Why? Because he knows their hard hearts will lead them to their death, not just now but eternally. Just like the verse in 2 Peter 3:9 says, "The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance."
There are two questions we might ask ourselves today? One, where has our heart become hardened to the truth. Where is God showing us His work and we are slow to believe, or would rather stay in control than yield to what God wants in our lives? Second, do we grieve at the stubborn hearts of those we see, who resist the Gospel? Do we look for ways to show them the truth at work in everyday life situations, where Christ can show that He is real and heals today. Do we pray for those with stubborn hearts that they might see God and Christ's deep love for them in what Jesus did to save them? Take some time to pray about these things and how God might use these truths in your life today. Amen.
3 Another time Jesus went into the synagogue, and a man with a shriveled hand was there. 2 Some of them were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, so they watched him closely to see if he would heal him on the Sabbath. 3 Jesus said to the man with the shriveled hand, “Stand up in front of everyone.”
4 Then Jesus asked them, “Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?” But they remained silent.
5 He looked around at them in anger and, deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts, said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was completely restored. 6 Then the Pharisees went out and began to plot with the Herodians how they might kill Jesus.
Reflection:
On another Sabbath, Jesus again went into the Sabbath, presumably to teach and also show forth his teaching with works of mercy and healing. This time it was a man with a shriveled hand, which probably prevented him from working. The Pharisees had laws about just who could be attended to on the Sabbath, and who could not be based on the severity of their sickness or disability. But in this case, they had an eye to catch Jesus in an offense, rather than having any compassion for the disabled man. Jesus wanted to show forth plainly what he was doing so he had the man stand up. He used it as a teaching example to reveal the hard hearts of the leaders. He asked a simple question. Which was lawful to do good or evil on the Sabbath? To bring life or death? He was hoping that the people would have compassion on the man, but they were so bent on catching him in a trap, they completely missed the point.
And we see Jesus was angry! We might say, how can Jesus get angry? Isn't that a sin? We must remember what Jesus was angry about, their hard hearts and stubbornness. This was all about control. Jesus threatened their power and control and they didn't like it. This is the same stubbornness that would prevent their belief. There are people today who also see the power of Jesus in the lives of people whose hearts and lives have been changed. But they dismiss it, and speak against it because they don't want to lose control either. In the end, Jesus completely heals the man, again showing that the Sabbath was made for man, not man made for the Sabbath. The Law leads to control and death, the Gospel leads to freedom and life.
Notice too that Jesus is distressed or saddened by their spiritual state. He so desires that they will come to a knowledge of the truth. He has taught the truth and showed them the truth, but they are still so obstinate and it makes him angry. Why? Because he knows their hard hearts will lead them to their death, not just now but eternally. Just like the verse in 2 Peter 3:9 says, "The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance."
There are two questions we might ask ourselves today? One, where has our heart become hardened to the truth. Where is God showing us His work and we are slow to believe, or would rather stay in control than yield to what God wants in our lives? Second, do we grieve at the stubborn hearts of those we see, who resist the Gospel? Do we look for ways to show them the truth at work in everyday life situations, where Christ can show that He is real and heals today. Do we pray for those with stubborn hearts that they might see God and Christ's deep love for them in what Jesus did to save them? Take some time to pray about these things and how God might use these truths in your life today. Amen.
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