June 11, 2010

The story of Jesus healing a man with a withered hand. [Mark 3:1-6]

Synopsis:

Jesus went into the synagogue on the Sabbath. The Pharisees were watching to see if Jesus broke the law by doing work on the sabbath, healing a man's hand. Jesus asked them a provocative question about the sabbath and then healed the man's hand. The Pharisees got mad and started plotting how to destroy Jesus.
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#1 (3:4) And [Jesus] said to them, "Is it lawful on the sabbath to do good or to do harm, to save life or to kill?" But they were silent.

Here, Jesus is questioning the purpose of the law. Laws are designed for the good of a society. So, a law prohibiting "do-gooding" makes no sense. Perhaps a response from the Pharisees could have altered the outcome, but their intentions were not to do good. We should use wisdom when we decide the course of our actions, instead of merely upholding ritual. I'm not dismissing the need of a sabbath, just a law that causes unnecessary harm.
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#2 {3:2,6) And they watched Jesus, to see whether he would heal him on the Sabbath, so that they might accuse him... The Pharisees went out and immediately held counsel with the Herodians against him, how do destroy him.

Here, the group in power sees a potential threat on the horizon. As far as the people are concerned, they were the keepers of God's Word. They were specifically empowered so that His love and mercy would be revealed, and an outsider was causing a stir. People in power attempt to preserve their power. If the thirst for that power is great enough, the ends could justify any possible means.
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#3 (3:5) ...he stretched it out, and his hand was restored.

Here Jesus healed the man's hand. We don't know much detail about the hand, the affliction, or the healing process. Our bodies heal. Sometimes medicine is needed. Sometimes rest and time is needed. Sometimes our bodies just get better with no current explanation.