Healing Hands and Hard Hearts: Lessons from a Withered Hand – Mark 3 v 1-6

Verse 1-2: “Another time Jesus went into the synagogue, and a man with a shrivelled hand was there. 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.”

Jesus walks into the synagogue, and there’s a guy with a withered hand. But, hold up, some people aren’t there to witness a miracle; they want to catch Jesus breaking the Sabbath rules. (See the last chapter for more on this). They are waiting for the perfect moment to accuse Him.

Verse 3-4: “Jesus said to the man with the shrivelled hand, ‘Stand up in front of everyone.’ 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.”

Jesus calls the guy with the withered hand to stand up, and now he challenges the Pharisees, asking if it’s better to do good or evil on the Sabbath, to save a life or to let harm come. The accusers have nothing to say.

Verse 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.”

Jesus, feeling the weight of their stubborn hearts, gets angry. But it’s not a selfish anger; it’s a response to their hardness. He turns to the man with the withered hand and says, “Stretch it out,” and the man is healed.

Verse 6: “Then the Pharisees went out and began to plot with the Herodians how they might kill Jesus.”

And here is where, the story takes a dark turn. Instead of being moved by the incredible healing they just witnessed, the Pharisees decide they’ve had enough. They’re not just going to accuse Jesus; they’re plotting to take His life. This theme will now run on through Mark. Look out for it.

Ask yourself, are you more concerned with rules or with doing good and saving lives? Jesus challenges us to be compassionate over rigid rules. When there’s an opportunity to do good and bring healing, it’s worth breaking through legalistic mindsets.