Missing the Point?

Josh Bell
Written By Jeff Rybacki
 

6 On another Sabbath, he entered the synagogue and was teaching, and a man was there whose right hand was withered. 7 And the scribes and the Pharisees watched him, to see whether he would heal on the Sabbath, so that they might find a reason to accuse him. 8 But he knew their thoughts, and he said to the man with the withered hand, “Come and stand here.” And he rose and stood there. 9 And 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?” 10 And after looking around at them all he said to him, “Stretch out your hand.” And he did so, and his hand was restored. 11 But they were filled with fury and discussed with one another what they might do to Jesus.

Luke 6:6-11 (ESV)

Can you think of times when you encountered situations in life whether personal or external where you were so overwhelmed by your passion or desire to see a specific outcome that you had complete disregard for an outcome that may benefit the person(s) involved. If we are honest with ourselves there are times in our lives when we sinfully do not want others to succeed or prosper. We may be jealous, covetous, or just plain heartless in our desire to see others fail and if they do fail, we may feel pleasure in that and if they succeed, we may feel angry.  

I know we do not like to admit this, but I think in all honesty each of us have felt this way at one time or another in our lives and probably more often than we realize. This can be as simple as wishing someone doesn’t get a promotion so that we may get it instead or that we hope someone gets the “justice” they deserve according to the law, according to our desires, or in the hand life deals them.  

Here in Luke 6:6-11 while teaching on the sabbath, Jesus encounters a man with a withered hand. Jesus knew that the scribes and Pharisees were watching Him. He knew they desired to catch Him breaking their sabbath laws so they could accuse Him. The Jewish sabbath laws that had become so distorted through the years because the religious leaders continually added their own rules to God’s original design and intention for the sabbath in order to fit their own agenda and essentially give them control over praising the practice of it or disciplining the abuse of it. Despite what the Pharisees thought and knowing full well their evil intentions Jesus chose to heal this crippled man’s hand. Prior to healing the man’s hand Jesus confronted the Pharisees wicked intentions by asking them if it was lawful on the sabbath to “do good or harm, to save a life or to destroy it”.  A question they apparently had no answer for.  As a result of this healing the Pharisees were “filled with fury and discussed with one another what they might do to Jesus.” 

In reading this story it is interesting to note that the Pharisees were more concerned about their disdain and hatred of Jesus than the awesomeness of this healing miracle and the well-being of this once crippled man.  At the end they were furiously enraged at Jesus’ assault on their self-righteous sacred traditions and laws.  When Jesus asked them if it was better to “do good or harm, to save a life or to destroy it” He was setting them up to reveal they were more concerned about their laws and their contempt for Jesus than the welfare, health, and safety of others. Their focus was not only on external religious practice, but also an internal desire to trap or embarrass Jesus because He threatened their agenda and their public image. They were blinded by their pride and selfishness and therefore could not see the better way was the loving and miraculous healing of this unfortunately crippled man. This is conjecture, but the cripple was possibly a man who because of his physical deformity had limited abilities and was therefore likely unable to work for a decent living. A man who was and outcast to society and whose life was a struggle beyond the norm.  

It is hard to admit, but we too can sometimes be like the Pharisees. Concerned about pursuing the selfish desires of our hearts and focused on establishing our own satisfaction and wellbeing, so much so that we are blinded to the wellbeing of others. Even to the point of hoping and wishing that others are not blessed in some way because we think they deserve judgement or because their misfortune would bring us pleasure.  We need to be meticulously careful that we guard ourselves of this, at all times, especially in today’s world where there is so much hatred, animosity, dissension, disagreement, confusion, and frustration in what seems like almost every aspect of our society. For example, we see this in the nation’s political climate today.  We may want to see the “other side” fail and “our side” succeed. The bible says we are to respect, biblically obey and pray for our leaders. Our president, lawmakers, and governors were appointed by God (Romans 13:1).  We may quickly forget that and may not even want to accept it. This goes for every leader in our lives that we are expected to be in submission too. In society we see division in almost every realm such as sports, news, social media, ethnic disparity, beliefs and practices, the workplace, law verses public, the list goes on and on.  The natural tendency is to take one side or the other, it is becoming increasingly difficult to remain neutral.  

Fortunately, in this passage Jesus models the side we should be on. The side of truth and love, genuine love, not the worlds perception of love, but godly love, a love that transcends our differences without compromising biblical principles. Jesus said we are to love our enemies and pray for them. We should ask ourselves; how often do we honestly do this?  We were once enemies of God prior to His saving grace.  Shouldn’t we want others to experience the love of God like we do?  So, they too can be brought out of the darkness we once walked in and into the light?  So, they too can experience the joy, hope, and peace of God’s blessing in and through salvation? 

Later on, in Luke 6 Jesus expounds on the true attitude we are to have toward others.  An attitude that He modeled toward the crippled man in his encounter with the Pharisees on the sabbath and so in closing I will let Jesus do the talking here...

27 “But I say to you who hear (listen up!), Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. 29 To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either. 30 Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. 31 And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.

32 “If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33 And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. 34 And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount. 35 But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. 36 Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.

37 “Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven; 38 give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.”

Luke 6:27-38

As we reflect on the truth of God’s teaching here may we be consciously focused on making sure we are not missing the point like the Pharisees did.  Seeking to see and love the world around us the way Christ did.

Prayer:  

Father give us a heart of selflessness, a servant’s heart, a heart of love, a love that accurately reflects the glorious image of Christ.  Help us to put to death a pharisaical attitude and instead grant us the attitude of Jesus such as was displayed in this passage.  May you bless us with the wisdom and discernment necessary to biblically navigate the world we live in such a way that our attitudes and actions point those around us to the God who lives in us.  Amen!



Jeff Rybacki
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