Anchor My Faith

The Withered Hand

Scripture: Matthew 12:9-10; Mark 3:4; Luke 6:6-9

As we progress along the gospel path we come to another Sabbath where we find Jesus teaching in the synagogue: ^{“Lk 6:6} On another Sabbath, ^{Mt 12:9} [Jesus] went on from there and ^{Lk 6:6} he entered the synagogue and was teaching, and a man was there whose right hand was withered.” Again on the Sabbath we find Jesus teaching in the synagogue and we notice a man in the audience who had a physical condition with his right hand being paralyzed or atrophied; withered. As expected, there were Pharisees in the audience and they surely noticed the man also and as a result some form of drama will probably occur.

^{“Lk 6:7} And the scribes and the Pharisees watched him, ^{Mt 12:10} and they asked him, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?”’ The scribes and the Pharisees watched Jesus to see what he might do. Apparently he ignored the man’s need so the scribes and the Pharisees, growing impatience, asked him if it was lawful to heal on the Sabbath? They asked this question ^{“Lk 6:7} so that they might find a reason to accuse him.”

 Remember, in this eastern culture Jesus had shamed the scribes and Pharisees by indicating that they were not meeting the needs of all the people. They would associate with those they felt were righteous and stayed away from those God called them to serve; those they saw as sinners. As a result of feeling shame, they are now trying to find ways to restore their honor by bringing shame to Jesus by getting him to somehow break their laws.

^{“Lk 6:8} But [Jesus] knew their thoughts, and he said to the man with the withered hand, “Come and stand here.” And he rose and stood there.” Jesus knew what they were trying to do and so he plays into their hands by asking the man with the withered hand to come and stand with him. The man obeys and comes and stands with Jesus, setting the stage for him to again demonstrate his power and authority.

^{“Lk 6:9} [Then] Jesus said to them, “I ask you, is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do harm, to save life or to destroy it?” ^{Mk 3:4} But they were silent.” In this shame/honor duel that will continue on to the cross, Jesus now asked the scribes and the Pharisees a question. This shame/honor duel is clearly understood by the people and has their full attention. There are also two other words we covered in several previous lessons that apply here. Those words are mercy and sacrifice. Sacrifice relates to the ritual of the Law and mercy relates to the everlasting love of God. The scribes and the Pharisees will again try to shame Jesus for violating the laws they support and Jesus will again shame them for not doing good out of love. They want to judge and Jesus wants them to love the people God has given them to serve.

We will finish this drama in the next lesson, but a few more words before we close this lesson. In our western culture we think in terms of innocent/guilt. In both cultures both play a role, but one is more dominant in one than the other. By getting Jesus to break the law, of not working on the Sabbath, they can shame him. That is their goal. There is no question that shame/honor also play a role in our culture, but innocent/guilt is a more open experience. In the western culture, shame is not as intentional as in an eastern culture and may occur without intention. Nearly 70 years ago I heard my dad tell another farmer something about me that he felt limited me as a helper on the farm which shamed me in a way that I still feel the effects of today. I felt that in the eyes of the other farmer I had lost honor because my allergies reduced my value as a farm worker for my dad.

Prayer

Father, when we read or study the Bible, we must not forget that the Bible is an eastern book being read with western eyes. I see Scripture being interrupted in ways that were not intended by the original authors. I am sure some of my interruption is also culturally flawed. Father, help me be more accurate in my interruption concerning culture differences.