The Sabbath and Love | Mark 3:1–6

Again he entered the synagogue, and a man was there with a withered hand. 2 And they watched Jesus, to see whether he would heal him on the Sabbath, so that they might accuse him. 3 And he said to the man with the withered hand, “Come here.” 4 And he said to them, “Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do harm, to save life or to kill?” But they were silent. 5 And he looked around at them with anger, grieved at their hardness of heart, and said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was restored. 6 The Pharisees went out and immediately held counsel with the Herodians against him, how to destroy him.
Jesus faithfully returns to the synagogue on the Sabbath, and a man with perhaps a physical handicap from birth sits there.  It’s possible that the Pharisees brought this man to the synagogue, setting up a trap for the Lord—as the text states that they sought opportunity to accuse the Lord.  Even so, we gain a much better understanding of the way in which the Lord intended His Law to be applied.
First, why could they accuse Him here?  Since the disciples only violated the tradition of the Pharisees in 2:23–24, theirs wasn’t a large enough infraction to derail Christ’s ministry.  Here, though, in the synagogue on the Sabbath, they believe that Jesus will violate the very Word of God.  Those who violated the Sabbath command of the Lord would be put to death in the Old Covenant (Ex 31:14–15; 35:2; Nm 15:32–36).  Since the Old Covenant is still in effect (Jesus was born under the Law, Gal 4:4), He would be subject to this penalty.
However, Jesus knows the Law.  He thwarts the Pharisees by giving the incontrovertible interpretation of the Law.  Jesus uses this man, plant or not, as a teaching opportunity, asking him to step in front of everyone (v. 3).  He actually spoke the Law in question to Moses before long before this day (cf. Jn 8:58).   So, the Lord of the Sabbath (2:28) shames them with His better explanation of the Law.  The teaching and deeds of Christ will give us the perfect explanation and demonstration of the Law.

The Lord filters the Sabbath through love.  He’d later teach that love of God and of one’s neighbor is the proper lens through which to interpret the Law (12:29–34).  When a man with a need that can be met stands before the people on the Sabbath, it’d be unloving for not to help him.   In healing him, Jesus teaches us the true application of the Law is with the rubric of love.

Popular posts from this blog

RE: "Pastor Dayna Muldoon EXPOSED"

Image
It enough to make your heart ache.  "Pastor" Dayna Muldoon  has been pitching her tent in Florida, and like Todd Bentley before , false claims to miracles, healing, and prophecies litter her campsites. This video of a Calvary Chapel pastor exposing her as a false prophet has been appearing in various places, and its been uploaded to YouTube multiple times.  Even Todd Friel got animated about this , and nothing gets him hyper. Here's the deal: Muldoon set up her tent-meetings right down the road from Calvary Chapel St. Petersburg , peeking the interests of many attending the church.  When they listened to the message she presented, however, they found it not to be the Gospel, but instead the typical narcissistic message of health and blessings from God. This is coming from a Calvary Chapel crew, folks that are typically non-cessationists themselves.  Many churches, including this particular Calvary Chapel , host after-glow services where one expects similar claims
Click to read more...

Was Rebekah a child when she married Isaac?

Did Isaac marry a three-year-old?  If you've never pondered this question, it's because nothing in the straightforward reading of the text would suggest that Rebekah was a toddler or that their marriage was arranged. Even so, a couple of verses out of context could be used by skeptics to prove anything.  While perusing the web for a related topic, however, I found a thread stating that the Bible isn't against the raping of children .  The cited evidence was this issue, the claim being that Isaac engaged in pedophilia. The question comes from the fact that Genesis 22:23 announces the birth of Rebekah after the binding of Isaac.  Tradition states that Isaac was then thirty-seven, and Scripture says that the two wed when Isaac was forty (Gn 25:20).  Hence, Isaac robbed the cradle. The whole theory is fraught with assumptions, the primary being that Scripture never records a age marker for Rebekah.  Further complicating the matter, however, is Jewish tradition, which spe
Click to read more...

MacArthur: Calvinism in a Nutshell

Image
From YouTube: Calvinism (Also know by Doctrines of Grace or Reformed theology) John MacArthur use Romans 8:28-30 as main text. The five points of calvinism are Total depravity (total inability), Unconditional election, Limited atonement (Also called particular redemption or definite atonement), Irresistible grace (also called efficacious grace), and Perseverance of the saints. Full sermon http://www.gty.org/resources/sermons/90-427 Romans 8:28, "And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren. And these whom He predestined, He also called. And these whom He called, He also justified. And these whom He justified, He also glorified."
Click to read more...