YOUR CHOICE
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Opening Prayer
Holy Spirit, as I reflect on Scripture today, show me where I can be more like Jesus, how I can better live for him, and share his love with others.
Read MARK 3:1—6
For additional translations of the passage, use this link to Bible Gateway.
Mark
Mark 3
1 Another time he 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.
Reflect
Are there any people (individuals or groups) whom you tend to distrust? Are there any you actively distrust? Why?We’re only just into Chapter 3, and things are already getting dire for Jesus (v. 6). What is his great crime or fault that warrants such a strong response? On the surface, it seems to be driven by his failure to keep the law: eating with sinners, claiming to forgive sins, and breaking Sabbath work prohibitions. However, something much deeper and darker is going on here.
Jesus is challenging the perceived right of the Pharisees and teachers of the law to justify themselves before God. They believe they have earned (or will earn) God’s favor because of their actions. This lie infiltrates many religions and even crops up sometimes from within the church.
Calvin famously said that ‘The human heart is a perpetual idol factory.’* We constantly crave alternatives to the God who loves us. For these learned Jews, the law had become their idol. We don’t often see Jesus angry, but he is here. These folk have taken something liberating and made it into a burden. Their silence in response to Jesus’ question (v. 4) is compelling evidence that they cannot distinguish between good and evil. How overwhelmingly sad.
Apply
What idols does your heart like to produce? Jesus said, ‘For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also’ (Luke 12:34). Take the time to do a reality check on where you have placed your hope, sense of identity, and ultimate security. Is there anything you need to change?
Closing prayer
Holy Spirit, I want to worship only Jesus. I want to serve no one but him. Jesus is indeed my greatest treasure—let me never forget that nothing and no one comes before him.
*John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion (1536).
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