Hardness of the Heart

Mark 3:1–6 LSB

1 And He entered again into a synagogue; and a man was there with a withered hand. 2 And they were watching Him to see if He would heal him on the Sabbath, so that they might accuse Him. 3 And 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 And 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 And the Pharisees went out and immediately began taking counsel together with the Herodians against Him, as to how they might destroy Him.

Prayer of Adoration and Petition.

Jesus Deals with Familiar Places and Old Circumstances. (v. 1-2)

Jesus has established that the Sabbath is for humanity and He is LORD of the Sabbath.

Entering the Synagogue and facing this man is not an accident.

The Pharisees are not following Him for the message, but to gather evidence against Him.

Deuteronomy 11:26–28 LSB

26 “See, I am setting before you today a blessing and a curse: 27 the blessing, if you listen to the commandments of Yahweh your God, which I am commanding you today; 28 and the curse, if you do not listen to the commandments of Yahweh your God, but turn aside from the way which I am commanding you today, by walking after other gods which you have not known.

The Pharisees have made a choice that Jesus exposes quite easily.

A Single Question Exposes a Deep Problem. (v. 3-4)

It is not lawful for you to make a compromise with God: to try to fulfil part of your duties, and to omit others at your own pleasure.

John Calvin (French Reformer)

The man whose hand is withered is now called to the forefront of the Synagogue (Front and Center).

The question about the “lawful” nature of healing on the Sabbath is Rhetorical, to expose the rotted heart.

Jesus is highlighting the importance of keeping the Law as intended by God, The Father, not as interpreted to best suit our desires.

Deuteronomy 30:15–18 LSB

15 “See, I have set before you today life and prosperity, and death and calamity; 16 in that I am commanding you today to love Yahweh your God, to walk in His ways, and to keep His commandments and His statutes and His judgments, that you may live and multiply, and that Yahweh your God may bless you in the land where you are entering to possess it. 17 “But if your heart turns away and you will not listen, but are drawn away and worship other gods and serve them, 18 I declare to you today that you shall surely perish. You will not prolong your days in the land where you are crossing the Jordan to enter and possess it.

You could cut the tension in the room with a dull knife, as it Synagogue was thick with anticipation for the resolution of this face-off.

The Gospel Restores and Draws Out What Lies in the Heart. (v. 5-6)

Jesus examines the silence of their lips and the condition of their hearts.

The issue with the Pharisees is not what we might call hypocrisy, today, as much as it was a love-less adherence to God’s Law.

Upon violating a love-less expression of God’s Law, Jesus becomes enemy number one for those in power by love-less service to God.

Ezekiel 34:11–12 LSB

11 For thus says Lord Yahweh, “Behold, I Myself will seek My sheep and care for them. 12 “As a shepherd cares for his herd in the day when he is among his sheep which are spread out, so I will care for My sheep and will deliver them from all the places to which they were scattered on a cloudy and gloomy day.

The Gospel is so radically transformative that even contradicting views of the world will unite against God’s redeeming plan to overthrow it.

Key Question: Where Does My Heart Stand?

Do I consider God’s Law and Gospel to guide my actions?

Do I act out of God-driven love, or out of Self-centered devotion?

What must I surrender to let God’s love drive my obedience and service to Him and His own?

Prayer of Confession and Adoration