Gospel of Mark Series: Mark 3 (focus on verses 1-6)
[Jesus] 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. Then the Pharisees went out and began to plot with the Herodians how they might kill Jesus. (Mark 3:5-6, NIV)
Today, we're in chapter 3 of our brief survey of the book of Mark. From the opening chapter, Mark paints a picture of Jesus as the Suffering Servant. Wherever Jesus goes, he brings new life to people in need. But with each act of service, he runs the risk of getting himself in trouble with the religious elite.
What strikes me throughout these chapters is how emotional Jesus gets. Jesus is not a stoic figure, going through life like the Terminator. Jesus drips with humanity. Sometimes he gets overwhelmed. He may even be the kind of person we would chastise for "wearing his heart on his sleeve."
In the first chapter, Jesus is moved by the injustice of a man living with leprosy. In chapter 2, he is touched by the commitment of four friends who carry their paralyzed friend to him. After healing the man, the Pharisees give Jesus some major side-eye. Throughout the rest of this chapter, the Pharisees follow Jesus around and heckle him. They accuse him of dining with sinners, not fasting, and working on the Sabbath. With each accusation, Jesus has a response that leaves them speechless.
By the time chapter 3 rolls around, they decide to take drastic measures. These religious leaders attempt to use a disabled man to trap Jesus. The man had a shriveled hand; it may have been the early stages of leprosy, or a disability he was born with. Either way, it made him an outcast in town. People probably thought God was punishing him for his sin.
And yet, the man didn't have this view. When we meet him, he's at the synagogue. People may have turned their backs on him, but he didn't turn his back on God. I think that's beautiful.
The Pharisees had a chance to reach out to this man in love. They were supposed to be the example, showing God's people how to treat one another. These law-keepers were aware of the Law of Love, even before Jesus solidified it. They had this law in their Bible, which we call the Old Testament:
Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against a fellow Israelite, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord. (Leviticus 19:18, NLT)
But instead of showing compassion to one of their own, the Pharisees used him as a pawn to win an argument.
As Jesus entered the synagogue, the Pharisees kept a close eye on Jesus and the man. They waited and watched, ready to pounce if Jesus did one of his pesky miracles on the Sabbath.
And you know what? This made Jesus mad. But it was an anger rooted in compassion. The text says Jesus was "deeply hurt as he sensed their inhumanity" (Mark 3:5–6, PHILLIPS). The way the Pharisees were treating this man broke Jesus' heart.
Then Jesus said something that seems so obvious. I'm sure he was perplexed he even had to say it. He looked at these guys and said:
"Is it right to do good on the Sabbath day, or to do harm? Is it right to save life or to kill?" (Mark 3:4, PHILLIPS)
Jesus was saying, "Guys, are you serious? You're upset with me about having compassion toward someone? Where are your priorities?"
Then Jesus told the man to stretch out his hand, and he healed him. And the Pharisees walked away with sour faces, plotting to kill Jesus.
How mad were the Pharisees? Enough to plot with their enemies! After this incident, "the Pharisees went out and began to plot with the Herodians how they might kill Jesus" (Mark 3:6, NLT).
Like the Pharisees, the Herodians were Jewish. But they sided with the Roman government, while the Pharisees opposed Rome. Look at Jesus, bringing political parties together! (In an effort to kill him, but details, details...)
In the Pharisees' version of religion, rules were a barrier to compassion. In their effort to be perfect, they ignored the Law of Love. But Jesus was the Law of Love wrapped in human flesh.
It's easy for me to cheer for Jesus and boo at the Pharisees. But before I do, I have to ask myself, When do I ignore the Law of Love? Who have I acted inhumanely towards?
The synagogue was the one place this man should have been safe. It was the one place he should have felt loved, valued, and part of a family. But instead, the religious leaders saw this man as nothing more than bait to catch Jesus.
Being inhumane doesn't always mean acting cruelly. These religious men didn't assault the man with the shriveled hand. They didn't verbally abuse him or kick him out of the synagogue. But they sat in silent judgment.
Where have I done this?
When I see the man standing near the highway off-ramp, holding the "Please Help" cardboard sign, how often do I look away uncomfortably? Or start talking to my wife about something funny to avoid the awkwardness.
My mind starts to make up stories about him. He probably had a million chances to get his life together.
Or what about at church? Who do I sit with? I search out the popular people, of course.
As I enter the sanctuary to find a seat, whose eyes do I avoid meeting? I've talked with them after service once or twice, and the conversation goes on and on. I want to get to lunch already.
Maybe they are lonely and need a friend. Why am I in such a hurry to turn my back and head out the door?
Who am I hoping I don't run into at the coffee station? Their life is a little too messy for my tastes. I just want to relax and hear a good message this morning.
All too often, I turn my back on the messy and unlovable. But Jesus runs to them. He throws his arms around them and weeps.
Jesus was deeply hurt by how the religious leaders were treating the man with the shriveled hand. The man's problems became Jesus' problems. Jesus was willing to be late for lunch to take on this man's burden. He was willing to be unpopular to hang out with the outcasts.
When has my inhumanity against someone hurt Jesus?
It's a scary question, but it's a question I can face because I know there's grace. Although I turn my back on others, Jesus won't turn his back on me. And when I realize I'm a mess, I won't be so quick to turn my back on other messes.
I admire the man with the shriveled hand. I admire his desire to pursue God when God's family wasn't pursuing him. And as Jesus welcomes him, it's a reminder that God calls me to welcome others. It's what the Law of Love requires me to do.
Because Jesus doesn't want anyone left out.
Questions to Ponder:
Where have you allowed petty arguments to keep you from showing compassion?
Is there anything the Law of Love is requiring you to do this week?
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