The Gospel Of Mark Chapter 3-Service of the Servant

His Power-Over Deformity

Mark 3:1–6 (NASB95)

1 He entered again into a synagogue; and a man was there whose hand was withered.

2 They were watching Him to see if He would heal him on the Sabbath, so that they might accuse Him.

3 He said to the man with the withered hand, “Get up and come forward!”

4 And He said to them, “Is it lawful to do good or to do harm on the Sabbath, to save a life or to kill?” But they kept silent.

5 After looking around at them with anger, grieved at their hardness of heart, He said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” And he stretched it out, and his hand was restored.

6 The Pharisees went out and immediately began conspiring with the Herodians against Him, as to how they might destroy Him.

Mark 3:2 (NASB95)

2 They were watching Him to see if He would heal him on the Sabbath, so that they might accuse Him.

On the Sabbath we see the Pharisees practicing “Religion”. Their religion/traditions superceded compassion, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control. We are told against such things there is no law in Galatians 5:22-23.

They had nothing but hate in their hearts. Have you ever come to church with hate in your hearts? What about the drive to church? What about getting ready in the morning before you come to church or the days after church?

You see it was Rabbinic tradition, not O.T. Law that forbade the practicing of medicine on the Sabbath unless unless the person was on the verge of death. These men for whatever reason wanted to stop Jesus any way that they could.

Mark 3:3 (NASB95)

3 He said to the man with the withered hand, “Get up and come forward!”

This man knowing the law would not have asked for healing on the Sabbath, but I bet deep down he was hoping for a healing, that his prayers would be answered.

Jesus being a servant, being full of the “Fruit of the Spirit” had no intention to let this man suffer any longer. He is about to answer this mans prayers. And, He was going to prove a point.

Mark 3:4 (NASB95)

4 And He said to them, “Is it lawful to do good or to do harm on the Sabbath, to save a life or to kill?” But they kept silent.

In His question to the religious leaders, Jesus emphasized the truth about the Sabbath: there is never a wrong day to do something truly good.

To be able to do good and not do good is a evil!

Matthew records this account slightly different.

Matthew 12:9–12 (NASB95)

9 Departing from there, He went into their synagogue.

10 And a man was there whose hand was withered. And they questioned Jesus, asking, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?”—so that they might accuse Him.

11 And He said to them, “What man is there among you who has a sheep, and if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will he not take hold of it and lift it out?

12 “How much more valuable then is a man than a sheep! So then, it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.”

Mark 3:5 (NASB95)

5 After looking around at them with anger, grieved at their hardness of heart, He said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” And he stretched it out, and his hand was restored.

Jesus was angry because this was a perfect opportunity for these critics of His to change their minds about Him and their traditions. But they refused to change their minds and rejected Jesus instead. In this we can see that Jesus deliberately used this occasion to provoke a response. Jesus could have done this the next day. Jesus could have done it privately. But He chose to do it at this time and place.

Have you ever disliked someone so much that you would go out of your way to find fault with them, as a manager to ride them, to knit pick every little thing they did, to make their life miserable? If we really look at this Jesus did not break their law/their tradition. He did not do any work. All he did was to speak “Stretch out your hand”. Is there a law against speech? We know all healing comes from God, so in a sense God healed this man.

These religious leaders would allow the rescue of an animal but not the healing of a deformity that would greatly improve the life of the man! How callous is this?

Mark 3:6 (NASB95)

6 The Pharisees went out and immediately began conspiring with the Herodians against Him, as to how they might destroy Him.

How many of you have ever heard the word hypocrite?

Let me define this word for you. Merriam-Webster dictionary defines the word hypocrite this way.

1: a person who puts on a false appearance of virtue or religion 2: a person who acts in contradiction to his or her stated beliefs or feelings These religious leaders began conspiring on how to destroy/murder Jesus. These experts of the Law just broke several of them.

Leviticus 19:17–18 (NASB95)

17 ‘You shall not hate your fellow countryman in your heart; you may surely reprove your neighbor, but shall not incur sin because of him.

18 ‘You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the sons of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself; I am the Lord.

This is how religion works. If you upset the apple cart and you must go!

Listen to what God has to say about religion.

Isaiah 29:13 (NASB95)

13 Then the Lord said, “Because this people draw near with their words And honor Me with their lip service, But they remove their hearts far from Me, And their reverence for Me consists of tradition learned by rote,

From the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia: This word “rote” the Hebrew word is lāmaḏ, which means taught or trained. The translation is appropriate, because the passage criticizes a religion that involves the MOUTH (I) but not the HEART

Hosea 6:6 (NASB95)

6 For I delight in loyalty rather than sacrifice, And in the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.

The Hebrew word for Loyalty is hesed: kindness, loving-kindness, mercy and similar words (KJV). (RSV usually has steadfast love, occasionally loyalty, NASB lovingkindness, kindness, love, NIV unfailing love.)

Isaiah 1:11 (NASB95)

11 “What are your multiplied sacrifices to Me?” Says the Lord. “I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams And the fat of fed cattle; And I take no pleasure in the blood of bulls, lambs or goats.