Mark 3: 1-6
Jesus Heals on the Sabbath
3 Another time Jesus went into the synagogue, and a man with a shriveled hand was there. 2 Some of them were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, so they watched him closely to see if he would heal him on the Sabbath. 3 Jesus said to the man with the shriveled hand, “Stand up in front of everyone.”
4 Then Jesus asked them, “Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?” But they remained silent.
5 He looked around at them in anger and, deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts, said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was completely restored. 6 Then the Pharisees went out and began to plot with the Herodians how they might kill Jesus.
Following on yesterday's Gospel passage regarding the "work" of curing on the Sabbath, Jesus again illustrates that the Law of Common Sense, the Law of Charity, is the Law to follow: "Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?" To our eyes, the answer might seem seem simple and obvious, so no wonder Jesus was angry at the stubborn hearts that did not "get this". To illustrate his point, again he breaks their law in order to implement his, the Law of Love.
How often does he have to repeat his lessons on love of neighbor, forgiveness, (of self and of another) to us? When we stop and realize how far from the ideal we are, we cringe, bend the knee, ask for forgiveness and the grace to try again. We might also pray for the fearlessness Jesus exhibited when we set up a plan to conform more and more to the Law of Love.
Bro. Rene
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