Mark in March – 3:1-6

Mark 3:1-6

Jesus Heals on the Sabbath

   Jesus went into the synagogue again and noticed a man with a deformed hand. ² Since it was the Sabbath, Jesus’ enemies watched him closely. If he healed the man’s hand, they planned to accuse him of working on the Sabbath.

Jesus, at this point in His ministry was usually followed by a throng of people, but He controlled the situation and entered the church, perhaps even unnoticed, because He knew there was a man there who needed Him.  He also knew He would be challenged by His enemies.

Were these Pharisees not listening when Jesus told them that the Sabbath was created for man and not vice versa?  Did they not understand that Jesus made the Sabbath and is Master over it? 

Yes, the ultimate enemy of Jesus knew all these things and still he fights God and seeks to deceive and divide and destroy.

³ Jesus said to the man with the deformed hand, “Come and stand in front of everyone.” ⁴ Then he turned to his critics and asked, “Does the law permit good deeds on the Sabbath, or is it a day for doing evil? Is this a day to save life or to destroy it?” But they wouldn’t answer him.

Jesus knew their thoughts and plans.  And to show His authority, He boldly told the man with the deformed hand to stand in front of everyone.  Imagine being that man!  I wonder if he realized he was in the middle of a conflict?

Jesus asked them questions that everyone surely knew the right answers to, but His critics would not answer because they would condemn themselves if they did.  It was a Catch 22 for them!  Yeah Jesus!!!

⁵ He looked around at them angrily and was deeply saddened by their hard hearts. Then he said to the man, “Hold out your hand.” So the man held out his hand, and it was restored! ⁶ At once the Pharisees went away and met with the supporters of Herod to plot how to kill Jesus.

Jesus looked at them angrily – What was He angry about?  He was deeply saddened by their hard hearts, but what was He angry about?  Even though He knew sin would enter the world when He created it, it still made Him angry.  He could have thought, “I am here to die for you and fulfill the Old Covenant that you try in vain to adhere to, and still you oppose me!”  Wouldn’t that make you angry?  We will never know this side of heaven just how much Jesus gave up for us.  If you gave someone you love a very precious gift that cost you much sacrifice and they refused it and even laughed at it, how would that make you feel?  (I’m getting ahead of myself to Mark 15)

“Hold out your hand.” So, the man held out his hand and it was restored.  Do I hold out my hands in obedience to God when I need restoration?  Do I completely open myself to Him?

There was a battle going on but Jesus did not forget about the man.  And the enemies of Jesus witnessed what happened to the man when he submitted to His Master.  He was restored.  Jesus did a good deed on the Sabbath.

And still Satan plotted to kill Him.

What does Mark 3:1-6 say to you?