Mark 3:1-6
1 He entered a synagogue again; and a man was there whose hand was withered.
2 And they were watching Him closely to see if He would heal him on the Sabbath, so that they might accuse Him.
3 He *said to the man with the withered hand, “Get up and come forward!”
4 And He *said to them, “Is it lawful to do good on the Sabbath or to do harm, to save a life or to kill?” But they kept silent.
5 After looking around at them with anger, grieved at their hardness of heart, He *said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” And he stretched it out, and his hand was restored.
6 The Pharisees went out and immediately began conspiring with the Herodians against Him, as to how they might put Him to death.
The Healing of the Man with a Withered Hand
Scheme to deceive Jesus
Today’s passage continues the Sabbath controversy, which took place in the synagogue on the Sabbath. There, a man with a withered hand was present. It is likely that he was intentionally placed there by the Pharisees. They were keenly observing whether Jesus would violate the Law. According to the Pharisaic oral traditions, healing on the Sabbath was considered a violation of the Law. It was permitted only in cases of life-threatening situations. This, however, did not apply to the man with a withered hand. Their intention was to accuse Jesus of breaking the Law if he chose to heal the man.
Jesus’ answer
Here, too, Jesus saw through their hearts. He called the man with the withered hand, had him stand in the center, and asked the Pharisees, “Is it lawful to do good on the Sabbath or to do harm, to save life or to kill?” In other words, this is a question, asking if it is better to heal someone or to kill them? The answer was obvious, but the Pharisees hardened their hearts and remained silent. In the Gospel of Matthew 12:9-14, it is written that Jesus spoke as follows: “What man is there among you who has a sheep, and if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will he not take hold of it and lift it out?” The Pharisaic oral tradition taught that it was permissible to rescue the sheep. Matthew wrote his Gospel to the Jewish people who knew the Law, which is why it is presented in this way. Jesus, grieving their hardened hearts, said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” As he did, his hand was immediately restored. The Pharisees, who witnessed the miracle, instead of rejoicing at this miracle, began to harbor murderous intentions. They not only rejected Jesus’ Messiahship, but conspired with the Herodians and began plotting to assassinate Jesus. Although the Pharisees and Herodians were political adversaries, ironically, they found common ground in opposing Jesus and took hands. Let us learn a lesson from their evil behavior. Instead of uniting in wickedness, let us strive to unite in love and justice.
Today's prayer
Father God of Jesus Christ, please remove the stubbornness from within me and help me unite in love and justice. In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.