The Gospel of Mark: Anger & Grief

Again (Jesus) entered the synagogue, and a man was there who had a withered hand. They watched him to see whether he would cure him on the sabbath, so that they might accuse him. And he said to the man who had the withered hand, “Come forward.” Then he said to them, “Is it lawful to do good or to do harm on the sabbath, to save life or to kill?” But they were silent. He looked around at them with anger; he was grieved at their hardness of heart and said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was restored. The Pharisees went out and immediately conspired with the Herodians against him, how to destroy him. ~ Mark 3:1-6



What are the things that jump out at your first with this passage?

The first thing I notice is that in a man who is injured and suffering in some way, all the Pharisees see is a way to trap Jesus.

That's what Jesus notices too. This is one of the few times we see "anger" attributed to Jesus. And grief as well. The hardness of these men's hearts grieves him.

Jewish law did permit healing on the Sabbath, but only if someone's life could be in danger. And since this man's life apparently wasn't in danger, they didn't think he needed healing. Can you imagine?

Are there ways that we make similar distinctions: this person is lazy, they don't deserve to be helped.

The person is a criminal, they don't deserve to be helped.

This person is an "illegal" immigrant, they don't deserve to be helped.

This person doesn't have insurance, they don't deserve to be helped.

This person stayed out at a party and got sick. They don't deserve to be helped.

Jesus never asked this man anything about who he was or how his hand got withered. He just healed him. That's it.

And he grieved that there were some who didn't see that was justified.


Holy God, thank you for the gospel - the good news - of your Son. Open my mind and heart to this good news and enliven me with your Spirit of servanthood that I might share this good news with a world in need. Amen



Engagement Question:


What are the barriers we put up to the healing of others?


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