Slices
Prepare
Are there any people (individuals or groups) whom you tend to distrust? Are there any you actively distrust? Why?
Bible passage
Jesus heals on the Sabbath
3 Another time Jesus went into the synagogue, and a man with a shrivelled 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 shrivelled 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.
Explore
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, 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 be able to justify themselves to God. They believe they have earned (or will earn) God’s favour 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 the compelling evidence that they cannot tell good from evil. How overwhelmingly sad.
*John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, 1536
Respond
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?
Bible in a year
Read the Bible in a year: Genesis 22,23; Psalms 5,6
Pray for Scripture Union
Pete Croall is the Mission Enabler for Berkshire, Essex and Hertfordshire. Please pray that his connections with Faith Guides will strengthen, so that he can continue to provide effective support to them as they reach out to children and young people.
