The Miracles of Jesus Lesson 10: The Man with the Withered Hand Matthew 12:9-13; Mark 3:1-6; Luke 6:6-11

Review of Key Concepts  Jesus’ miracles verify His identity (Matthew 11:2-5; John 20:30-31) Miracles are “works of supernatural origin and character, such as could not be produced by natural agents and means” -- Vine’s Expository Dictionary Bible synonyms for miracles are signs, wonders and powers.  Jesus’ ability and authority to perform Divine miracles on the Sabbath provide critical proof the He is God’s Son! Jesus healed a lame man (John 5:1-14), a blind man (John 9:14), a man with dropsy (Luke 14:1-6), and a woman with infirmity (Luke 13:1-17) on the Sabbath!

The Man with the Withered Hand Matthew 12:9-13; Mark 3:1-6; Luke 6:6-11 Background to the Miracle (Matthew 12:1-8)  Jesus’ disciples had plucked grain while walking through a field on the Sabbath (12:1; Deut. 23:25)  The Pharisees charged them with breaking the Law (12:2) They were actually more concerned with their traditions (Matthew 7:3-4)  Jesus points out… The Pharisees’ hypocrisy (12:3-5) Their ignorance of the Sabbath Law (12:5, 7; Deuteronomy 5:12; Exodus 31:14) His position as “Lord of the Sabbath” (12:6, 8)

The Man with the Withered Hand Matthew 12:9-13; Mark 3:1-6; Luke 6:6-11 Details of the Miracle  On another Sabbath, Jesus entered a synagogue where there was a man with a withered right hand (Luke 6:6).  The Jews ask, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?” -- that they might accuse Him. Note that, “They watched Him closely” (Luke 6:7)  Jesus asks if it is lawful to do good or evil on the Sabbath, to save a life or to kill? (Mark 3:4) Might a sheep be rescued? (Matthew 12:11-12)

Jewish Traditions Governing the Sabbath  “We are permitted to violate Shabbat (Sabbath) to a limited extent to rescue an animal in pain or at risk of death. For example, we can move them if they are in pain, move objects that we would not otherwise be permitted to touch to relieve their pain, we may give them medicine, and we may ask non- Jews to do things that would violate Shabbat to help a suffering animal.” (Judaism 101,  “If circumcision, which concerns one of man's limbs, puts off the Sabbath, to rescue a soul puts off the Sabbath!” -- Babylonian Talmud, Shabbat  “If one prepared bundles of straw or stalks or greens (before the Sabbath) to feed (one's) animals (on the Sabbath), they may be moved; but if not, they may not be moved.” -- Babylonian Talmud, Shabbat

The Man with the Withered Hand Matthew 12:9-13; Mark 3:1-6; Luke 6:6-11 Details of the Miracle  They kept silent and Jesus was grieved “by the hardness of their hearts.” (Mark 3:5) Hardened hearts doom themselves (Romans 2:5; Hebrews 3:8; Proverbs 28:14)  Jesus commanded the man to stretch out his hand (Matt. 12:13)  When he obeyed, the withered hand was restored.  Consequently, the Pharisees and Herodians were filled with rage and plotted against Christ. (Mark 3:6; Luke 6:11)

 Having the heart right is more important to God than precisely following ritual and tradition. It is important to have both the Law of God and the spirit of the Law in our hearts!  Humans are more valuable than animals.  Jesus can make the useless useful.  Personal bias can keep someone from perceiving obvious truth.  What makes God angry? A hard heart and a lack of compassion for others! Do I make God angry? Lessons from the Healing of The Man with the Withered Hand