Jesus Confronts His Critics

                                                        Jesus confronts his critics

Opening Prayer:                                                                                                    

Father God, we come tonight to study about our savior, Your Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ We understand that there are people and places in this world where His presence was questioned, and even today some still would cause doubt to be cast upon his miracles and his mission. It is our desire to seek the truth of his miracles and his healing. We pray that our understanding of His mission will be enlightened, and that our faith In you will be strengthened, by these studies. We ask that no word be spoken here tonight which might be contrary to your will.  Bless those who are here tonight with the perfect understanding of those things which You would have us learn from this study. Bless our brothers and sisters in Christ who need your healing touch, give them reassurance that even though you are not present in body, you are most certainly with us in spirit. Offer them your healing Spirit. We ask this in the name of Jesus Amen

Our study today puts Jesus in a synagogue on a Sabbath day with a man who has a withered hand. Jesus is indeed our healer, he redeems, forgives, heals, leads, and directs our lives if we but take the time to ask and believe that he can do as he says. All we need is to trust in him and do as he says. This man simply was addressed by Jesus because of his withered hand, and he did as Jesus directed him and his hand was made whole. Jesus only spoke four words to him. Jesus is in control and can do the will of his Father God, at any time and in any circumstance.

Mat 12:9  Going on from that place, he went into their synagogue,
Mat 12:10  and a man with a shriveled hand was there. Looking for a reason to bring charges against Jesus, they asked him, "Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?"
Mat 12:11  He said to them, "If any of you has a sheep and it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will you not take hold of it and lift it out?
Mat 12:12  How much more valuable is a person than a sheep! Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath."
Mat 12:13  Then he said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." So he stretched it out and it was completely restored, just as sound as the other.
Mat 12:14  But the Pharisees went out and plotted how they might kill Jesus.
Mat 12:15  Aware of this, Jesus withdrew from that place. A large crowd followed him, and he healed all who were ill.

Mar 3:1  Another time Jesus went into the synagogue, and a man with a shriveled hand was there.
Mar 3:2  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.
Mar 3:3  Jesus said to the man with the shriveled hand, "Stand up in front of everyone."
Mar 3:4  Then 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.
Mar 3:5  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.
Mar 3:6  Then the Pharisees went out and began to plot with the Herodians how they might kill Jesus

Luke 6:6  On another Sabbath he went into the synagogue and was teaching, and a man was there whose right hand was shriveled.
Luke 6:7  The Pharisees and the teachers of the law were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, so they watched him closely to see if he would heal on the Sabbath.
Luke 6:8  But Jesus knew what they were thinking and said to the man with the shriveled hand, "Get up and stand in front of everyone." So he got up and stood there.
Luke 6:9  Then Jesus said to them, "I ask you, which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to destroy it?"
Luke 6:10  He looked around at them all, and then said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." He did so, and his hand was completely restored.
Luke 6:11  But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law were furious and began to discuss with one another what they might do to Jesus.



                                                                                                                                             Pg.2

We have included three different scriptures of the same incident for comparison. To examine how  different individuals see the same incident. The basic fact remains that Jesus did perform a miracle in the presence of all in the Synagogue that day and there were those there (Pharisees and teachers of the law) who resented what Jesus was doing, and were plotting to kill him.

Q.1 Which of these accounts seems the more compassionate
Q.2 Looking at the three scriptures, what verses draw your attention?
Q.3 One of these accounts is a bit more descriptive than the others, if so, what is the difference?
Q.4 Does it appear that Jesus did not honor some of the laws that governed the people?
Q.5 Have you heard the “ox in the ditch” story Luk 14:5? Jesus makes his point, do you agree?
Q.6 What are five points of interest in this story? Healing, Compassion, Faith, Self righteousness, and resentment. Could there be more?
Q.7 Which of these human emotions are apparent in this story? Fear, Anger, Sadness, Joy, Disgust, Trust, Anticipation, and Surprise

Jesus Heals
The Pharisees had introduced a large number of minute and absurd restrictions on Sabbath observance; so our Lord set Himself to recover the day of rest for the use of the people. He never hesitated, therefore, to work miracles of healing on that day, and so set at defiance the Pharisees and their evil amendments. He contended also that all ritual observance must take the secondary place, and that the primary concern must always be the deep and pressing claims of humanity. Even if a sheep should fall into a pit on the Sabbath, it would be lifted out by the most pious of ritualists. How absurd and illogical it was to prohibit deliverance to this man with his withered hand! Notice that this man’s condition is symbolic of many who pose as good Christians, but do nothing. They have the power, but do not use it and it becomes atrophied. That power can be given back by Jesus. Dare to act and you will find yourself able to act.

Q.1 What is it we learn about the Pharisees and teachers of the law from this incident?                          Q.2 What is it we learn about the laws in force from this incident?                                                        Q.3 What is it we learn about the Sabbath Day from this incident?                                                         Q.4 What is it we learn about the man being healed from this incident?                                                Q.5 What is it we learn about Jesus from this incident?                                                                          Q.6 What is it we learn about ourselves from this incident?                                                                    Q.7 Can you think of more that might be learned from this incident?





                                                                                                                                                                 Pg.3
Jesus Confuses his detractors                                                                                                                                                                      
The Pharisees had already been building a case against Jesus because it was apparent that he was a favorite among the people, and they felt his popularity was a threat to their power over the people. Isn’t it true what Lord Acton once said. “Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely”. Certainly, the Pharisees were corrupt, and what’s even more conclusive is the fact of their always having critical observance of what Jesus was doing, and trying to use it to build a case against him. But Jesus knew what they were doing, and continued in his
Teaching and healing. They asked him on  this occasion, "Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?"
And Jesus perplexed them with his answer. By citing an example of a sheep falling into a ditch on the Sabbath. Wouldn’t anyone rescue the sheep. And at that moment he Asked the man to stretch fourth his hand, and as he did, his hand was healed.
Q.1 For what reason would any religious leader or teacher object to a healing miracle?
Q.2 Are there people who would deliberately deny the health and welfare of another person?
Q.3 Are there still laws regarding our Sabbath day duties and efforts?
Q.4 Having been healed, What would be the opinions expressed by the now whole person?
Q.5 Are there those to this day that would prevent one coming to Jesus for healing?
Q.6 What would one hope to gain by preventing someone from coming to Jesus?
Q.7 What is the desire of every Christian? “As disciples, to cause God great joy by sharing his love with others as we have seen it in Jesus”

Luke 6:11  But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law were furious and began to discuss with one another what they might do to Jesus.

Mat 12:14  But the Pharisees went out and plotted how they might kill Jesus.
Mat 12:15  Aware of this, Jesus withdrew from that place. A large crowd followed him, and he healed all who were ill.

Mar 3:6  Then the Pharisees went out and began to plot with the Herodians how they might kill Jesus

Here are three different interpretations of what the enemies of Jesus think of what he has been doing. Persisting still in their evil intentions, though Christ had so fully and clearly exposed the wickedness of them. In addition those men who thought it was not lawful to heal a lame man on the sabbath day, yet have no problem in meeting with others on the Sabbath day, consulting together on that day, and even with profane men, what measures and methods were best to take, to destroy the life of an innocent person.
Q.1 What do you suppose the conversation might have been like?
Q.2 Do you think that there may have been any defense of his position by anyone there?
Q.3 Would he be given the benefit of the doubt as to what he did?
Q.4 Do we seem to be in agreement in the matter of what they want to do to him?
Q.5 We know what his enemies are going to do about Jesus, but do we know what we are  going to do about Jesus?  As a nation?, as an individual?

Meditation                                                                                                                            Pg.4
There are radical factions and sects which still persecute and kill Christians. North Korea — a country of more than 24 million, with an estimated 300,000 Christians — remained the most dangerous country worldwide for Christians for the 12th consecutive year, followed by Somalia, Syria and Iraq. Being caught with a Bible is grounds for execution or a life-long political prison sentence. An estimated 50,000 to 70,000 Christians live in concentration camps, prisons and prison-like circumstances or have been executed under the regime of leader Kim Jong-Un.”
In the  sub-Saharan African country — Somalia, Islamic extremism is the primary source of Christian persecution in the country of more than 10 million and while the capital, Mogadishu is under more moderate Muslim control recently, converts from Islam are threatened with execution. “In Somalia, a Christian cannot trust anyone,” one Christian reportedly told an Open Doors researcher. “One false confidence and you literally lose your head.” Syria, another country subjected to Islamic extremism, has powered the prosecution, and many towns that previously had large populations of Christians have become ghost towns.
“Open doors”
“Open Doors” is a non-profit organization working in the most oppressive countries, providing Bibles and literature, media, leadership training, socio-economic development  and ensuring prayer, presence and advocacy for Persecuted Christians. They strive to raise awareness of global persecution, mobilizing prayer, support and action among the Christians around the world. Every year, they publish a World Watch List which ranks countries by the severity of persecution.












Closing Prayer:                                                                                                                           Pg.5 
Father God,  be with us now as we leave this place. May we carry with us your blessing as we continue in our efforts to live the life of a disciple of Jesus Christ. We pray for your continued watch over our loved ones and those among us who need your healing hand to touch them in their time of distress. We are all in need your healing power. We pray now that  we will have Your guidance and protection as we continue in our day to day living. It is in Jesus name we pray, AMEN