There was an expectation among the Jewish people and the religious leaders that “things would change when Messiah came.” Age-old disputes would be settled; the temple would be needed no longer: salvation would come through faith and works, not DNA; Messiah would reign as King and Priest. The law of mercy and not sacrifice would be instituted. Sounds good, right? Yes, until your job is on the line.  It takes vision and the Spirit of God to rejoice through the fulfillment of prophesies. Instead, the Religious Leaders took the untenable position of striving to maintain the status quo.    

***

Chapter 18: Jesus Heals A Withered Hand

JESUS entered into the synagogue to teach.  In attendance was a man with a withered hand.

            The scribes and the Pharisees watched Jesus closely to see if he would heal him since it was still the Sabbath day, thinking they might be able to accuse him.

             Jesus knew their thoughts and was grieved at their hardness of heart.  He said to the main with the withered hand:

            “Rise up, and stand forth in the midst."

When the man had done so, Jesus said to the scribes and Pharisees:

            “What man shall there be among you, that shall have one sheep, and if it fall into a pit on the Sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it, and lift it out? How much then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the Sabbath days.”

             Then Jesus said to the man:

            “Stretch forth thine hand.”

            When it was extended, it was immediately healed and was as good as the other hand.

            Thereupon the scribes and the Pharisees left and conferred among themselves and with the Herodians as to how they might destroy Jesus.

***

Matthew 12:9-14; Mark 3:1-6; Luke 6:6-11