Jesus Christ: 12th Journey
Jesus Heals the Man's Withered Hand
We read in Mark 3:1-6; Matthew 12:9-14; Luke 6:6-11 - which Jesus makes many people marvel over the healing He came to provide.
If an animal fell into a pit on the Sabbath, the Jews would not hesitate to rescue it on the Sabbath; and yet, they accuse Jesus of healing someone on the Sabbath. No rules for the Sabbath have been listed for a person to keep the Sabbath holy; therefore, it is always right to do good things for people on the Sabbath, for it brings honor to God.
Saving life is much better than killing, and therefore, in this case, Jesus was helping to save a man’s life by helping with his withered hand. The Pharisees, however, couldn’t care less about “His Works,” and therefore, looked for ways to kill Him. Jesus left, though, to continue on His Work elsewhere.
This man’s hand that was restored is similar to what we saw in 1 Kings 13:6, where the king’s hand was restored by the “man of God.”
What can we learn from this?
Help those that cannot help themselves, as Jesus did for the man with the withered hand, especially when their circumstances are out of their control (just as the man with the withered hand, and the king with the withered hand). Let those with a hard heart come to Christ as He looks at the root of bitterness and can help remove the trouble for healing to flood in.
Part 3: Jesus Heals Great Multitudes by the Sea of Galilee
We are seeing Jesus at Galilee again doing phenomenal work in healing and increasing people's faith. We read about this in Mark 3:7-12; Matthew 12:15-21.
Jesus quickly withdraws to work elsewhere, to which, this is further fulfillment of the Prophecy that Jesus would take the Gospel to all people. He never tried to be great, as He never hurt those who sorrowed, neither did He turn away those who had weak faith (even the weakest faith He didn’t turn away).
He knew it would increase what weak faith people had if He did things that would only increase it! He continued to heal people of so many infirmities and unclean spirits.
What can we learn from this?
Christ received people so often, and we need to receive people similarly by laying aside anger and debating, so that they may be encouraged and receive gracious kindness. If we are unable to show people encouragement or gracious kindness, we should ask for it from the Lord so that we may take after His Example.
Plucking Grain on the Sabbath
The Disciples eat grain while going through a field with Jesus on the Sabbath. The Pharisees see it and object. Jesus answers their objections. Do note: The things Jesus says and the things I summarize in each point here are not to necessarily negate the Sabbath, but actually make it better!
The Pharisees had criticized Jesus’ Disciples for plucking corn on the Sabbath, to which, Jesus defended them by referring to the two examples in the Old Testament. First, David and his men were very hungry and needed food expediently.
Now, they were rightly allowed to eat the holy bread of the Tabernacle, which only Priests were allowed to eat (as we see in 1 Samuel 21:1-6). Second, even the Levitical Priests worked on the Sabbath, for they had to prepare and offer sacrifices (Numbers 28:9-10).
Both examples had shown the Pharisees that in case of a necessity, the legal requirement of a specific law might be overruled, because of the following:
- Life is more important than ritual.
- Mercy is more important than sacrifice.
- Jesus is more important than the Temple.
- People are more important than the Sabbath
- The Sabbath was given as a benefit, not for discomfort.
Therefore, since Jesus is the Messiah, He has all authority to decide how the Sabbath is best used.
What can we learn from this?
The Sabbath is sacred and Divine in origin, yes, to which, it is not to be used for labor. God never wanted the Sabbath to be a burden, but He wanted rest. The Sabbath was instituted for the good of humanity, so in living in a society of so much troubles and busyness, one may have a day to dedicate in service to God.
The rules and regulations given were not strict, but were as guidelines for what a Sabbath should be like. One should never neglect to appreciate at least one day of rest a week, especially dedicating it to service unto God, for this would be a chance to recuperate and recharge. Man’s keeping of the Sabbath is not a service to God, but a service unto God!
People could have many Sabbath Days a week, where they rest and dedicate service unto God; however, the point is in Jesus’ message here, is that needs can be met on a Sabbath Day, because they are of necessity.
The Sabbath was not a day to bring dread upon a person, but a day to enjoy and be happy of the life God gives us; a day of freedom, hope, recharging, relaxing, etc.
What we do on the Sabbath is up to us, not some law or code. The Sabbath was established before the Law, just as sowing and reaping was, and therefore, it will continue to be a Divinely inspired operation on Earth!
