Restoring what is Withered

Are you living up to your potential? (preach) Are we as a church living up to our potential? (preach)

Withered-of a part of the body-shrunken or wrinkled from age or disease. In this case then when we allow things to waste away, or when things take ill it becomes withered. Sometimes dreams wither. Sometimes relationships wither. Sometimes our self-esteem withers. When we don’t take care of our-self we can wither. We do a great disservice to God when we do not live up to the expected calling on our life.

When God has given us possession…relationships....kids....motivation

Exposes what Withered

The pharisees-now Jesus makes the problem more than just the mans problem. It now becomes a community problem. It now becomes a congregational problem. Because now that the withered hand is front and center what are we going to do about it. He can’t hide his condition in the anonymity of the crowd. He can’t blend in with the rest of the sick. He is front and center. This man was there hear word from the lord. He was there fulfilling his religious duties as a Jew, his attendance is a testimony in it’s own right. And as long as he was there in his place he wasn’t a problem (elaborate). But, when he gets on Jesus radar now he is used as a means of catching Jesus up.

The man-He also now exposed before Jesus. The invitation to come forward allows the man to humble himself before Jesus. If you have ever taken that walk down the isle you know how it feels. In a more practical sense the man has taken his first steps toward healing and recovery by putting on display his infirmity. And here is the challenge, you will never be healed if by Jesus if you aren't willing to give it Jesus. (preach)

Addresses the wickedness

v.4

They kept silent

The key was their hardness of heart. And it caused Jesus to be grieved.

Restores what is Withered

God restores. God fixes. God can do it.

He tells the man to do something that he was not physically able to do and provides healing as he is doing what he is told to do.

Uses what was Withered as a Witness to Himself