Withered hearts

|PIC1|Mark 3:1 - 5 (TNIV, abridged)

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 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. 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.

Today's story follows another sabbath controversy, when the disciples were
picking grain (2:23 - 28). Here Jesus enters the synagogue and sees not only
the man with the withered hand but also those with shrivelled hearts who are
wanting to accuse him.

Jesus heals the man with a simple command, unlike the healers of his time who
used complicated incantations. Maimed and de-formed people were barred from
the temple, so his healing also ushered in social acceptance.

The Pharisees were watching Jesus' every move, for breaking the sabbath could
result in death according to Old Testament law. Jesus is angry with their
'stubbornness'. The word used means a closed mind when it comes to spiritual
truths. An equivalent Hebrew word is used of Pharaoh in the events of the
Exodus.

Sensing their criticism, Jesus shows how he is the fulfilment of the Law. By
simply speaking (and therefore not breaking the rules), he heals the man and
ushers in the kingdom of God that he will be heralding in the days to come.
It's easy to caricature the Pharisees, but we too can fall into this hardness of
heart.

When we give up hope or insist on having our own way, we are not
obeying the heavenly vision. Perhaps we've been in a relationship where we've
been hurt and we fear to extend forgiveness, or something longed for hasn't
materialised or we are given over to grumbling. Jesus invites us to a place of
healing and restoration. Just as he said to the man, 'Stretch out your hand,' he
says these words to us: 'Stretch out your heart and let me make you whole.'

Prayer
Offer a difficult situation you are facing to Jesus, asking for his healing and
peace.

Amy Boucher Pye is an American who has lived in the UK for over a decade.
She makes her home in north London with her husband and young family and
enjoys writing for Christian periodicals, including Quiet Spaces, Woman Alive
and Christian Marketplace.


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