The Man with the Injured Hand

Life of Christ • Sermon • Submitted 4 years ago

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Intro: Today we are going to be looking into the last of the accusations against Jesus concerning the sabbath laws. Last Sunday we discussed the accusations of Jesus disciples plucking grain in order to meet an immediate need. Today we are going to see Jesus is once again dealing with the same people; the Pharisees plus the Herodians. Of course, the Pharisees we are pretty familiar with by now, but not much is mention in scripture or history about this second group mentioned in this account, the Herodians. More than likely the Herodians were wealthy and powerful Jewish families that were in support of Herod and his family. They were most likely roman sympathizers. At the end of this passage we wil see that the Pharisees hated Jesus so much they were willing to work together even with Roman sympathizers in order to get rid of this threat to their power and prestige, Jesus.

Mark 3:1–6 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. 6 Immediately the Pharisees went out and started plotting with the Herodians against him, how they might kill him.

Mark 3:28–29 CSB

28 “Truly I tell you, people will be forgiven for all sins and whatever blasphemies they utter. 29 But whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin”—

I. The Pharisees Were Watching Jesus

If it wasn’t so sad it would almost be humorous. Here these men were in waiting. They obviously believed that Jesus could perform miracles. They had accepted this idea as fact. They believed that he could do this very miracle otherwise there would have been no reason to pay attention to Jesus in the Synagogue. Yet they rejected Him.

Mark 3:1–2 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.

We see.....

A. There were three types of people that followed The Messiah

1. Those who wanted to learn from Him.

2. Those who wanted something from Him

3. Those who wanted to find reason to reject Him.

Trans: Nothing’s really changed. This is the same pattern we see in the church and world today

B. There are three different types of followers today.

1. Those who want to learn and obey

2. Those who want something from Him or the church(focused on their needs)

3. Those who are looking to find fault.

II. Jesus calls the man to the center.

Mark 3:3 CSB

3 He told the man with the shriveled hand, “Stand before us.”

Jesus was not going to allow those who had rejected Him to determine His actions.

III. Jesus Asks Them a Question: “Is it Lawful to do good on the Sabbath?”

Mark 3:4 CSB

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.

It must be pointed out that if you read Matthews account then Marks account it will at first appear that there is a small contradiction. In Matthew it is recorded that the Pharisees asked Jesus this question. In Mark it is recorded that Jesus asked the question. It is only upon reading Luke’s account does it all make sense. In Luke’s account it is written that Jesus knowing their thoughts , He spoke. It is obvious from the passage that the pharisees had already been discussing this very question of it being legal to heal on the Sabbath. While they may have never vocalized it to Christ. It was the question they were thinking. Jesus simply utters the question that was in their minds, but yet asks it in another way. A way that would force them to come into a collision with their own works.

A. The religious were waiting to see Christ do something good while they themselves were plotting something evil.

B. Here Jesus was about to save this man’s life while they they were plotting to kill.

Trans: One can see the complete hypocrisy of their intentions. They were claiming to care about the Law of God outwardly yet inwardly they were plotting evil.

IV. Jesus’ Response

A. He was Angered

B. He was Grieved

Hardness - "Hardness" has the idea of a covering with a callous. How one develops a callous seems to be significant. A callous is not formed overnight. It is formed from repeated damage to the skin. The body forms a callous or thickening of the skin in order to protect itself. In the same way the religious did this in order to protect their hearts from the influence of Christ, the word, and the Holy Spirit. It is important to note that many seemed to never have repented (Romans 11:25) . We see this same self-destructive behavior in the Old Testament. God sends a prophet to Pharoah. None of the miracles and plaques were enough for Pharoah to repent. He instead continued to harden his heart. He never repented. I think this where anger turns to grief.

Zechariah 7:12 CSB

12 They made their hearts like a rock so as not to obey the law or the words that the Lord of Armies had sent by his Spirit through the earlier prophets. Therefore intense anger came from the Lord of Armies.

Exodus 7:13 CSB

13 However, Pharaoh’s heart was hard, and he did not listen to them, as the Lord had said.

Isaiah 55:6 CSB

6 Seek the Lord while he may be found; call to him while he is near.

V. There is a Sin that will not be forgiven.

John 6:44 CSB

44 No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up on the last day.