Healing on the Sabbath.
Luke 6:6-11And it came to pass also on another Sabbath, that he entered into the synagogue and taught: and there was a man whose right hand was withered. And the scribes and Pharisees watched him, whether he would heal on the Sabbath day; that they might find an accusation against him. But he knew their thoughts, and said to the man which had the withered hand, Rise up, and stand forth in the midst. And he arose and stood forth. Then said Jesus unto them, I will ask you one thing; Is it lawful on the Sabbath days to do good, or to do evil? To save a life, or to destroy it? And looking round about upon them all, he said unto the man, Stretch forth thy hand. And he did so: and his hand was restored whole as the other. And they were filled with madness; and communed one with another what they might do to Jesus.
The first sermon I ever preached was from this passage. I remember it like yesterday. I was in the army and was asked to share at a study group one night. God showed me how we all are like this man. His handicap was that he was unable to take or receive something because of his hand. Like his hand sin withered us and we were unable to live to out potential. Even if someone gave him something he could not grab a hold of it. Sin scared us and made us unable to grab a hold of God. God had to grab us.
In this story we have the account of a man with a withered hand. We see Jesus meeting him in the synagogue. He is in the place that represented God but all he found was religious folk that wanted to see if Jesus would break the rules. In the synagogue there was a greater presence of criticism than compassion. Wow, does that sound familiar? The Pharisees was there not to admire God’s greatness and God’s goodness, but to see if they could find something wrong with Jesus. How do we get to that place where we no longer discern the move of God but judge the move of God? It amazes me when I listen to some Christians that have made it their mandate to judge everybody else. I have been in ministry a long time and have made that same mistake. I have learned that there is a better way to spend my time. I learned to look to where God is at work. It is better if God judges mans work.
This man was unable to work and earn a living for his family. He was most probably bullied growing up and had a low standing in society. His dignity was low and he most probably had to rely on other people to help him. Jesus shows up to help him. First Jesus asks the ones that didn’t think they needed something, if it is right or wrong to do something good to someone who needed a miracle. They were faced with the reality that they had to make a choice. Will we rejoice when God shows up or will be offended when it doesn’t line up with our understanding? When John announced Jesus as the one to follow him he rejoiced when Jesus started His own ministry with the same message John had: “Repent for the Kingdom is at hand.” Jesus had John message. Then when Jesus started healing people without first asking them to repent John doubted if Jesus was the one. He saw the Holy Spirit come on Jesus in the form of a dove. He announced His ministry to the nation of Israel. When Jesus started doing it in a different way, John had to make sure. Blessed are you if you are not offended in me, Jesus responded. Offences will make you a judge instead of a receiver of the goodness of God. John could not reconcile the fact that God could heal without requesting them to repent first. There was little difference between John and the Pharisees expecting Jesus to act in a certain way.
“Stretch forth your hand” and as he did it was healed. What did this man experience with the eyes of all those Pharisees on him. He was under pressure to stay within the rules and expectations of society. His need for a miracle was asking him to press into the supernatural. The good news is that God won!
Most of the time we find what we need in the place of stretching. Your healing is outside of what man can offer. The limit that is placed on us by man is not God sanctioned. God is bigger than our box.
Things change when we reach out to God. When this man stretched his hand out the miracle happened. In the kingdom is not profitable to be passive. Waiting for things to happen does not bring us to the fullness of God. The message of the New Testament is “Go and make.” We do not earn anything by what we do but God does respond to our response to His call. Draw near unto God and He will draw near unto you. This man had to act and do something. Do something tangible and allow God to the unseen.
The religious people were mad. It didn’t matter that this man had the means now to take care of himself and his family. He would no longer be regarded as a liability to society but he would be able to earn his keep. No more bullying or prejudice or being pushed out of society. Jesus restored his dignity and well as his body. They were there to find fault with Jesus but they were so blinded that they didn’t see their own faults.
I dare you to stretch out and touch God. He can restore your ability(hand) to receive and to give. Don’t worry. There will always be someone that would be upset with what God is doing to you and for you.
