June 3, 2018 Sunday

“Now it happened that He went through the grainfields on the Sabbath; and as they went His disciples began to pluck the heads of grain. And the Pharisees said to Him, “Look, why do they do what is not lawful on the Sabbath?” But He said to them, “Have you never read what David did when he was in need and hungry, he and those with him: “how he went into the house of God in the days of Abiathar the high priest, and ate the showbread, which is not lawful to eat, except for the priests, and also gave some to those who were with him?” And He said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath. “Therefore the Son of Man is also Lord of the Sabbath.” And He entered the synagogue again, and a man was there who had a withered hand. So they watched Him closely, whether He would heal him on the Sabbath, so that they might accuse Him. And He said to the man who had the withered hand, “Step forward.” Then He said to them, “Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?” But they kept silent. And when He had looked around at them with anger, being grieved by the hardness of their hearts, He said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” And he stretched it out, and his hand was restored as whole as the other. Then the Pharisees went out and immediately plotted with the Herodians against Him, how they might destroy Him.” (Mark 2:23-3:6 NKJV)

            “Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?”  While we can understand Jesus is teaching the Pharisees healing, blessing and saving a life on the Sabbath is good and allowed what about the part of the question about evil and killing?

            We have this picture of the nice Casper Milquetoast Jesus which really is a sign of our lack of understanding of the Bible and of God.  Jesus is both grieved and angry with the Pharisees because of their hardness of heart and their lack of concern.  These are supposed to be the spiritual leaders of Israel but instead they are lawyers and judges.

            The Pharisees do not see or understand the love God has for the lost and the sinners of society.  Like some religious leaders they are more interested in being correct then they are for lives and souls.  Jesus cared enough to love people where they were but as we see in this passage Jesus loved them enough to not leave them there.

            We can become Casper Milquetoasts ourselves by loving people enough to not only accept their sin but even declaring it to not be sin.  By doing this we “lead them to hell with a smile on their face”! 

            Perhaps Jesus’ statement about doing evil or to kill comes from two sides of religious people and what they believe.

The Pharisees saw the law as preeminent and it will cut off sinners with little hope of coming to God.

The Sadducees see the law as very flexible and will not call people from their sin because they want to enjoy their own sin.

Both religious parties do evil by cutting sinners from grace and thus not only kill their bodies but also cut them off from grace and kill their souls.

            As Christians we have a responsibility and obligation to share the grace and hope found only in Jesus Christ.  We must proclaim the message that God loves them as they are, but loves them enough to help them change who they are. 

            The greatest miracle you will ever see is not healing a hand but God “recycling” a broken life into a Child of God!

            Do you think you are a Pharisee or a Sadducee or do you depend on God’s grace?  Can you see the difference God has made in your life?  Can others?  Are you offering life and good or death and evil? 

            WHAT A BLESSING?  Even after a very busy Saturday (for me) I was able to go to worship at Asbury.  Jack Davis and I often have a good talk together and it is so enjoyable.  Bonnie does a wonderful ministry playing the organ.  I am so proud of her!  The rest of the day was crash but no burn!  My feet have been hurting terribly.