Following the Lord Jesus Christ: #29 Another Healing on a Sabbath

Still in Galilee a week later (or possibly two), we follow Jesus into the synagogue on a Sabbath. Let’s watch how this unfolds.

(The color of the words in the scripture indicates the information that is unique to that gospel: Matthew, Mark, and Luke. The words in black are recorded in all three gospels. You can read the complete section in each of the gospels at the bottom of this blog.)

Matthew 12:9,10; Mark 3:1,2; Luke 6:6,7 (Mark and Luke)
Now when He had departed from there, it happened on another Sabbath, that He went into their synagogue again, and taught.
And behold, there was a man who had a withered right hand.
So the scribes and Pharisees watched Him closely, whether He would heal him on the Sabbath, so that they might accuse Him.

Once again, Jesus is facing off with the scribes and Pharisees on the issue of the Sabbath. I’m getting the idea that this is a BIG DEAL for the Jewish leadership. Why? Because it embodies their strong-arm approach to controlling the people with their legalistic rules and regulations. Jesus only continues to minister to the humble and demonstrate God’s love and the kingdom of God.

Matthew 12:10-12; Mark 3:3,4; Luke 6:8,9 (Mark and Luke)
But He knew their thoughts, and He said to the man who had the withered hand, “Arise, Step forward, and stand here.” And he arose and stood.
And they asked Him, saying, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?
Then He said to them, “I will ask you one thing: Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill (destroy)?”
Then He said to them, “What man is there among you who has one sheep, and if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will not lay hold of it and lift it out? Of how much more value then is a man than a sheep? Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.”
But they kept silent.

God had revealed their wicked thoughts to His Son, so Jesus knew that they were eager to accuse him. And he knew full well that he could be convicted of breaking the Sabbath and receive a sentence of death. Yet for the third time, he brought God’s deliverance to a man on a Sabbath day. (See also FLJC: #17 The Pool at Bethesda and FLJC: #21 Teaching with Authority.)

And once again, Jesus clearly shows from the scripture that the love of God for His people is at the heart of the Sabbath. And the Pharisees could not deny the hypocrisy of saving a sheep on that day (which was allowed by their law), but refusing to heal a man on the Sabbath; they could only keep silent.

Matthew 12:13; Mark 3:5; Luke 6:10 (Mark and Luke)
And when He had looked around at them all with anger, being grieved by the hardness of their hearts, He said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” And he stretched it out, and his hand was restored as whole as the other.

Perhaps we have all had a taste of the grief Jesus experienced when we see wicked leaders not only refuse relief to those in their care, but hold them in bondage to their misery. Jesus, the truest servant of the most high God, brought full deliverance to each and every one who would receive it.

Matthew 12:14; Mark 3:6; Luke 6:11 (Matthew and Mark)
Then the Pharisees went out, and straightway held a council with the Herodians and plotted against him.
And they were filled with madness; and communed one with another what they might do to Jesus, how they might destroy him.

The Pharisees leave in a rage, so determined to destroy Jesus that they get together with the Herodians, a sect of Hellenistic Jews that wanted political independence for their nation, as did the Pharisees. However, the Pharisees desired a king from the line of David, while the Herodians wanted a king from the Herodian line. But Jesus proved such a great threat to their plans that they set aside their radical differences to find a way to destroy him.

Of course, Jesus remains undeterred from his mission. He faithfully continues to follow the path that his Father shows him. In true love that is void of any fear, he shares of God’s complete forgiveness and healing for all who come to him in need. One humble man walks away with a restored hand. Other men walk away plotting to kill God’s savior of the world.

Today, having Christ within, you and I offer the same healing deliverance and power to others. Some may not appreciate God’s forgiveness and love, but there are those who will accept the Word of Life and see healing wholeness in Christ.

NEXT:  Following the Lord Jesus Christ: #30 Healing Near the Sea of Galilee

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Complete Gospel Accounts

Matthew 12:9-14
Now when He had departed from there, He went into their synagogue.
And behold, there was a man who had a withered hand. And they asked Him, saying, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?”—that they might accuse Him.
Then He said to them, “What man is there among you who has one sheep, and if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will not lay hold of it and lift it out?
Of how much more value then is a man than a sheep? Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.”
Then He said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.”
And he stretched it out, and it was restored as whole as the other.
Then the Pharisees went out, and held a council against him, how they might destroy him.

Mark 3:1-6
And He entered the synagogue again, and a man was there who had a withered hand.
So they watched Him closely, whether He would heal him on the Sabbath, so that they might accuse Him.
And He said to the man who had the withered hand, “Step forward.”
Then He said to them, “Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?” But they kept silent.
And when He had looked around at them with anger, being grieved by the hardness of their hearts, He said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” And he stretched it out, and his hand was restored as whole as the other.
And the Pharisees went forth, and straightway took counsel with the Herodians against him, how they might destroy him.

Luke 6:6-10
Now it happened on another Sabbath, also, that He entered the synagogue and taught. And a man was there whose right hand was withered.
So the scribes and Pharisees watched Him closely, whether He would heal on the Sabbath, that they might find an accusation against Him.
But He knew their thoughts, and said to the man who had the withered hand, “Arise and stand here.” And he arose and stood.
Then Jesus said to them, “I will ask you one thing: Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do evil, to save life or to destroy?”
And when He had looked around at them all, He said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” And he did so, and his hand was restored as whole as the other.
And they were filled with madness; and communed one with another what they might do to Jesus.