JJesus demonstrates in His unique way that Sabbath is all about love and healing. He shows kindness by continuing to patiently teach the hard hearted Pharisees trying to destroy Him. He shows kindness by healing and bringing new life to an unfortunate man, possibly a victim of the religious leaders of the day.
Overview
Bible passages: Matt 12:9-14; Mark 3.1-6; Luke 6.6-11
Background
Jesus:
- Saw Stubbornness
- Spoke Soundness
- Showed Kindness
Result
Our response
Bible Passage
Matt 12:7 But if you had known what this means, ‘I desire compassion, and not a sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the innocent.
Lord of the Sabbath
8 For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.”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.
Bible Passage (Cont'd)
Matt 12:11 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.” 13 Then He *said to the man, “Stretch out your hand!” He stretched it out, and it was restored to normal, like the other. 14 But the Pharisees went out and conspired against Him, as to how they might destroy Him.
Background
The man standing before Jesus, as per history was a construction worker.
Herod built the temple and called for construction workers who were skilled in various aspects.
They were asked to work on Sunday.
After the temple was built, the Jewish leaders cut off their hands to penalize them for working on Sabbath.
Now they were looking for a reason to destroy Jesus
Dr Ron Charles
Background - Destruction
The Pharisees cut the hand.
In righteous zeal they were doing Satan’s work of destruction
They cut the family off
They cut the man from worshipping normally – he had to take back seat.
Now they were conniving to cut off Jesus – God Himself
Background - Restoration
Jesus knew their intentions, yet continued His acts of mercy.
He goes to God’s house though it is polluted with corrupt leaders.
He contradicted their authority by demonstrating true leadership
He asked the man to stand in front for all to see.
He restored the hand.
He still tries to teach the corrupt leaders God’s love
He Saw Stubbornness
Save don’t condemn
Matt 12:10 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.
Lift up, don’t cast out
Matt 12:11 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!
He saw stubbornness
He saw stubbornness
Jesus continued to teach and heal in the synagogue
Inspite of poor leadership
Inspite of hardness of heart and opposition.
He was angry but more so, deeply distressed.
As Lord He had the right to be angry at his children being abused by those He trusted
Do we grieve at others’ hardness?
He Spoke Soundness
Luke 6:8 But Jesus knew what they were thinking and said to the man with the shriveled hand, “Get up and stand in front of everyone.” So he got up and stood there.
9 Then Jesus said to them, “I ask you, which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to destroy it?”
Matthew 12:11 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.”
He Spoke Soundness
There was no anger in His speech. He continued to teach the right attitude with patience.
When we correct others, is it with positivity?
He showed Kindness
Matthew 12:13 Then He *said to the man, “Stretch out your hand!” He stretched it out, and it was restored to normal, like the other.
How do we show kindness in front of those who are hard hearted?
Result
The man went away with
A new hand
A new life
The Pharisees went away – with shrivelled hearts unwilling to listen to Jesus
Result
When we stand up for Christ and show His love,
There will be healing
And opposition
We have to be prepared to face both.
Our response
Jesus is speaking to hard hearts
Of those who don’t know Him
Of us who know Him
Are we listening?