GOOD OVER EVIL
Read MARK 3:1–6
For additional translations of the passage, use this link to Bible Gateway.
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.
New International Version (NIV)Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
What do you need from God today? Remember that he is your Father who loves to give good gifts to his children (Luke 11:13).I’m allergic to wasp stings. If I get stung, I need an EpiPen injection quickly or the consequences could be fatal. Imagine if I came barging into your house, begging you for an EpiPen, asking you to call an ambulance because I’d just been stung—and you refused because, in your house, if you don’t knock politely and wait, you don’t get what you want!
It sounds absurd, doesn’t it? My assumption is that most people wouldn’t do that, yet that is what the Pharisees did every day with their man-made rules (v. 2). By preferring their customs to what the kingdom of God was doing in and through Jesus, they withheld good from people for the sake of their tradition.
The kingdom of God is no respecter of tradition and human order because God is always reaching out to people, and they are more important to him than traditions and customs (v. 5). The kingdom of God has come in Jesus, and nothing is going to stop it, not even well-intentioned propriety and customs.
Apply
We are called to bring the good news of Jesus to the world around us. Are there any places in your heart where religious tradition has become more important than obeying the Holy Spirit?
Closing prayer
Spirit of God, please don’t let distractions or wrong priorities of any kind keep me from sharing the message of the cross with others.
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