Lord, your word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path - may it guide us as we read and meditate on your word. Amen.
Mark 3:1-5
Jesus heals a withered hand on the Sabbath
Another time Jesus went into the synagogue, and a man with a shriveled hand was there. 2 Some of them were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, so they watched him closely to see if he would heal him on the Sabbath. 3 Jesus said to the man with the shriveled hand, “Stand up in front of everyone.”
4 Then Jesus asked them, “Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?” But they remained silent.
5 He looked around at them in anger and, deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts, said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was completely restored. 6 Then the Pharisees went out and began to plot with the Herodians how they might kill Jesus.
OBSERVATION - ( What is the text about? Who, What, How, Why, When & Where) - The text (to me) is about the way Jesus felt about the stubborn hearts of Pharisees in the synagogue. Jesus was angered and deeply distressed by their stubbornness in not seeing the truth, using the law of the Sabbath as their defense. Jesus attempted to convince them what the Sabbath was really all about. They not only rejected his teaching but also began to plot how they would kill Jesus to defend their righteous attitude.
INTERPRETATION - (What is the message of the text? What is the context?) - Jesus prioritises compassion, love, and mercy over the rigid legalism that the law had become. The context is Jesus' continued conflict with the Pharisees, highlighting Jesus' merciful nature and the Pharisees' hardness of heart.
APPLICATION - (What does it mean for me personally? What needs to change in me?) - Lord, I know I have hardness of heart in areas of my life. Areas where I am stubborn, as I hold on to things that bring me false security. Father, I ask that you soften my heart once again and help me to see and live with compassion and mercy at all costs. Lord, don't let religion blind me to your truth. I lay down religious ways and pick up the call you have on my life. I pray and ask these things in your mighty name, Amen.
Please feel free to share your comments below or head over to my Facebook Page and comment there. Looking forward to sharing the journey with you as we go through the book of Mark. love Jenspen
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Amen sis,great message, what a perfect saviour, luv ya