Evil is sad as well as bad (Hunch 22)
Another time he went into the synagogue, and a man
was there with a shrivelled hand. Some were looking for reasons to accuse
Jesus, so they were watching him closely to see if he would heal this man on
the Sabbath. Jesus said to the man with the shrivelled hand, “Stand up in front
of everyone.” Then Jesus asked them, “Which is the lawful thing to do on the
Sabbath: good or evil, saving life or killing?” But they remained silent. 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. Then the Pharisees went out and began to plot with the
Herodians how they might kill Jesus.
In a Nutshell
The Sabbath issue did not go away. Jesus kept on inviting
people to enjoy it but opposition from ordinary people and the religious
leaders kept growing. Mark tells us that the Pharisees, the enforcers of
Sabbath drudgery, were desperate to get rid of Him. They joined up with Herod's
supporters, and Jesus could hardly believe how bitter they all were.
Questions
Was Jesus crying? Why?
Sometimes amazing things happen. And when they do, the day is so good you feel happy just remembering what it was like. It must have been a bit like that for this man with a shrivelled hand. Meeting Jesus in the synagogue on that day fixed his hand and changed his life.
On that Sabbath Jesus started by asking the man to stand up.
They all held their breath. They knew what He was on about. Jesus healed people
and they knew it was the Sabbath. Had they been reading Isaiah? Blessed is the man who holds it fast, who keeps my
Sabbath without desecrating it, and keeps his hand from doing any evil.
Imagine what the man thoughts about that? Hold it
fast? You're joking. It's all I can do to drag it along with the rest of my
body. God in Heaven what a burden you've given me to carry!
Jesus insisted. He asked the synagogue: Should he be healed now, or not? Should it be now, this
moment, this day or should we leave it for another time?
He was fired up. He saw those waiting to see what He did so they could tell the Pharisees. He knew what they were thinking. He knew they needed help to understand God’s Kingdom. He took charge and asked the man to hold out his hand. He healed the man. The mean-spirit that troubled Him did not stop Him. We don’t know if it took a few weeks for the man to use it like he used to, but his hand was healed. Then and there on that Sabbath in the synagogue, he held it up for all to see. It was better already. Jesus had done it! Now he could go home and enjoy his Sabbath rest just like God had done when He created the heavens and the earth. Maybe he celebrated by giving his wife and children a special big hug when he got home. They'd be so happy. Jesus' Father in Heaven would also have been so pleased to see that happen! That man could give big hugs again! His withered hand was restored.