In today’s world we see a great deal of stuff.  Samaritan’s Purse giving the Gospel to Children at Christmas, fights over Gaza, the war in Ukraine.  We see the take down of dictators who are pushing drugs on the world, how people react to foods around the world, and the luxury that people ride in on trains that are nearly as fast as planes.  Truly the means of worldly communication is vast and we see an unbelievable amount of suffering, nonsense, righteous acts, good will, and acts that are not righteous at all. We see good media, we see bad media, we see indifferent media.  Because of this sometimes it drives our minds to the states of righteousness, unrighteousness, and complete indifference.  But last week we learned that we are creatures of choice.  We choose to let our minds be driven to whatever state we’re in.  I know that’s a simplistic view and that those in bad spots right now may not feel in control, but my point is this.  You; having choice, can choose your state.  You do have control even if everything is telling you that you don’t.  You were designed and created that way.

Wow!  Well that’s food for thinking. 

What’s on your mind today Colby?

I’m glad you asked.  Let’s look at our text.

Mark 3:1-5 CSB
[1] Jesus entered the synagogue again, and a man was there who had a shriveled hand. [2] In order to accuse him, they were watching him closely to see whether he would heal him on the Sabbath. [3] He told the man with the shriveled hand, “Stand before us.” [4] Then he said to them, “Is it lawful to do good on the Sabbath or to do evil, to save life or to kill?” But they were silent. [5] After looking around at them with anger, he was grieved at the hardness of their hearts and told the man, “Stretch out your hand.” So he stretched it out, and his hand was restored.

This Story is so telling.  The word has gotten out about Jesus.  That’s because the Word has been exuding out of Jesus since the beginning of time.  Now that He’s on the scene the choice as to what to do with it is no longer something that can be overlooked.  The man with the shriveled hand in the synagogue was there at the behest of God’s divine persuasion I have no doubt.  Now he may have been coming to the synagogue for a long time under that persuasion but there is no doubt that this meeting was of God.

Jesus enters and sees both the man and the Pharisees with a very specific thing on His mind.  I have no doubt that the man with the shriveled hand had heard of the healing power of Jesus and was anxious to partake if Jesus is willing. The Pharisees are there and see both Jesus and the man with completely different sight.

Jesus sees both the man and the Pharisees with compassion.  He asks a question to extract choices from both.  It wasn’t just the Pharisees that were faced with the need to answer whether good or evil was lawful on the Sabbath.  Everyone in the room had to answer it. 

Let’s look at the answers as subtle and not so subtle as they may be.

First let’s look at the man with the shriveled hand.  Did he question whether or not to obey Jesus?  No!  He in his heart filled with the hope of Jesus desired Him and his healing.  He obeyed.  I’m not even sure that he realized the Pharisees were there.  Maybe that’s a stretch, but I’m trying to put myself in his shoes.  I know I want my focus to be on Jesus and Jesus alone.  In the physical presence of Him I kind of feel the background noise might just fade away.

Then there’s the Pharisees.  They have eyes for Jesus alright, but it’s only so that they can stop him from taking away their fake control.  The question here asked by Jesus really isn’t good or evil on the Sabbath.  It’s who made the Sabbath and who controls what is done on it and why? The Pharisees answered incorrectly and the consequences weren’t just a game show buzzer.  The consequences were/are the anger of God.

Jesus saw both the man and the Pharisees with compassion.  Knowing that He created us as creatures of choice.

(

Colossians 1:16 CSB
[16] For everything was created by him, in heaven and on earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities — all things have been created through him and for him.

)

He provided the need to choose for everyone in the room.  When the choices were made He responded, healing the worshiper, the lover, the obedient and being angered and grieved by those not so.

Here’s the thing though.  Jesus is still providing the need to choose.

For what are we watching?  Are we watching as those ready to worship, love and be obedient to the One who created us?

Or,

Are we watching to remain in the fake control of that which we never really had control of in the first place.

Our choice is of the utmost importance!

Love in Christ,

Colby