Jesus is Lord of the Sabbath

When Jesus healed the man with the withered hand on the sabbath, the Pharisees remained silent. Similarly, when he forgave the adulteress and challenged the Pharisees, “who so among you without sin throw the first stone” (John 8:7). The Pharisees again convicted by their own conscience, left one by one in silence. In both cases, Jesus challenged the current “status quo.” You might say, Jesus went “rogue” reclaiming the gospel message of love and forgiveness. Jesus came to the earth to show a better way: to teach, to love, and to heal.

Jesus healed on the sabbath without lifting a finger or without touching the man. One might surmise that the Pharisees would glorify God and rejoice in the restoration of this man’s wholeness. The Pharisees placed conditions on God and rejected Jesus’ attempts to soften their hearts. Our hardened hearts distort our empathy for people who are suffering and in need of healing. Whether it is our hands or hearts that are withered, Jesus wants to bring us love and healing. Only Jesus can change our hearts, so let Him!