HOST: Michael Whitworth
On another Sabbath, he entered the synagogue and was teaching, and a man was there whose right hand was withered. And the scribes and the Pharisees watched him, to see whether he would heal on the Sabbath, so that they might find a reason to accuse him. But he knew their thoughts, and he said to the man with the withered hand, “Come and stand here.” And he rose and stood there. And Jesus said to them, “I ask you, is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do harm, to save life or to destroy it?” And after looking around at them all he said to him, “Stretch out your hand.” And he did so, and his hand was restored. But they were filled with fury and discussed with one another what they might do to Jesus.
From the very beginning of His ministry, Jesus’ mission was to change the way people viewed God and religion. Having a relationship with God was not supposed to be about a mindless, arbitrary, and inflexible adherence to a set of laws and traditions. It was to be about the devotion of one’s heart to God and the infusion of godly characteristics and principles into one’s life. Jesus’ healing of a withered hand on the Sabbath was not really about challenging observance of the Sabbath. It was about challenging the way people viewed God and their fellow man. What Jesus tried to instill in the people of His day is still true for us today. Being God’s children and disciples of Christ is still about being wholly devoted to God in heart and committed to godly principles and conduct in life. A life lived in Christ and for God is a life full of love and faithfulness, and it is the best life of all!
How do you think this text relates to our lives today?
Don’t forget to pray and have a great day!
