This study, taught by pastor Barry Forder, was recorded at our Sunday morning family service on 20th May 2018.
On Sunday we looked at the first 19 verses of Mark ch3. Here we see Jesus go head-to-head with the Pharisees for the 2nd time (the 1st time had been over the issue of His disciples picking and eating grain on the Sabbath in Ch 2). But this time Jesus gets angry! This is not the Sunday school picture of Jesus that so many think of!
Anger is not in itself sinful; we should be angry at wickedness, injustice, sin and its effects.
As the chapter begins, Jesus is still in Capernaum and heads to the Synagogue on the Sabbath to teach again (Luke 6:6). It was not uncommon to have a visiting teaching, but Jesus has been here for a number of weeks now, and we have already been told how the congregation were amazed at His teaching.
At the Synagogue there was a man with a withered hand. Jerome tells us the man had been a stonemason, so presumably, he had been involved in an accident at some time in the past, causing him to lose use the use of his right hand (Luke 6:6).
For the last three weeks (at least) this man had quietly sat at the back, maybe not sure if He could ask Jesus for healing, or if he should! He had no doubt seen Jesus heal many by this time, but must have felt that his ‘ self-inflicted’ problem was not worthy to trouble the Master about.
Jesus then calls him out and puts him on the spot.
This miracle teaches us a number of things:
Firstly, none of us are too insignificant for Jesus’ all-seeing gaze, and His compassion isn’t reserved for just the ‘really needy’. Jesus already knows your condition and situation; He wants you to know His blessing in your life. Many of us have withered hopes or dreams, often brought about by things we have done in the past. Jesus can heal the hurt, He can undo the damage life has done.
Secondly, religious authorities are more interested in position than people; more concerned that you are following their man-made creeds than that you are serving God.
Jesus then went on to choose His disciples and ordained them that they should bring forth fruit for God’s glory. None had amazing credentials, but they were willing to leave their nets, to stop collecting taxes, and follow after Jesus.
God does not choose you because you have some great ability He needs in His kingdom! He calls and ordains out of His great love. He then equips and gives us power over all the power of the enemy if we simply trust and believe in His name.
If you are a follower of Christ, you have been ordained by God! Let’s get to it; there’s a world that needs to hear the Gospel, and the time is running out!
May you be blessed and encouraged by this study.
The Powerpoint slides used in this study are also available for free download from our web site, and the audio can be streamed or downloaded for future use.
