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

Where is Jesus?

                                                          Where is Jesus?                                                                     Pg.1

Opening Prayer:                                                                                                                                                                                                                  

Father God, we come to study about Your Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. We understand that there are people and places in this world where His presence is  anticipated, and welcomed. Our study today takes us to one of those places. 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, and we ask that your healing presence be with them. We ask this in the name of Jesus Amen

Our study today puts Jesus at Bethesda, a sheep gate in Jerusalem, probably going to a Passover Jewish  feast in Jerusalem. He passes the sheep gate, a place where the sick and crippled congregate because of the healing offered by the waters there. There is a story that bears telling about this place as well, but here Jesus sees a crippled man and offers him healing. This healing is just another day in the life of Jesus as he spreads his message, doing the will of His Father God.

John 5:2  Now there is in Jerusalem near the Sheep Gate a pool, which in Aramaic is called Bethesda and which is surrounded by five covered colonnades.

Until the 19th century, there was no evidence outside of John’s Gospel for the existence of this pool; therefore, scholars argued that the gospel was written later, probably by someone without first-hand knowledge of the city of Jerusalem, and that the ‘pool’ had only a metaphorical, rather than historical, significance. Then in the 19th century, archaeologists discovered the remains of a pool fitting the description in John’s Gospel. The name of the pool is said to mean house of mercy or house of grace. In both Hebrew and Aramaic the word could also mean 'shame, disgrace'. This dual meaning may have been thought appropriate since the location was seen as a place of disgrace due to the presence of invalids, and a place of grace, due to the granting of healing.

Q1. What do we know about this pool now?
Q2. What other locations are verifiable from Biblical writings? (See below)
Q3. Why do we want to know the location of this pool?
Q4. Bethesda. The name given to the pool, because of the many lame and infirm who would congregate there for the healing effects of the waters, The name means “house of mercy", or "grace", or "goodness";


Archaeological research has confirmed the existence of many other cities and places named in the Bible, including:
Antioch(300 miles north of Jerusalem),  Beersheba (excavated by Condor), Bethany, Bethel (Gen. 35:1-7, excavated by Albright & Kelso),Bethesda (Jn. 5:2, excavated by C. Schick), Bethlehem (excavated by Wm. Harvey), Bethsaida,  Caesarea (Acts 9:30, excavated by Israel's Department of Antiquity), Caesarea Philippi (at the foot of Mt. Hermon, Mat. 16:13),  Capernaum on the Sea of Galilee (Mat. Colossae (excavated by Wm.J.Hamilton), Corinth (in Greece), Damascus (in Syria), Dan (now known as "Tel el-Qadi"), Dothan (Gen. 37:17, 2Ki. 6:13, excavated by J.P.Free), Ephesus (Acts 19, excavated by J.T.Wood & D.C.Hogarth Gaza (Judg. 1:18),  Gibeon (Josh. 9:3-27, now known as "Al Jib," excavated by J.B.Pritchard),Gilgal (Josh. 4:20, excavated by J. Muilenburg); Mt. Hermon (in northern Israel), Jacob's Well(John 4:12, excavated by Robinson & C.A.Barclay), Jericho (Josh.6, excavated by C.Warren, E.Sellin, J.Garstang & K.Kenyon),Jerusalem (a 3000 year-old city), Jezreel (at the foot of Mt.Gilboa), Joppa (2Chr. 2:16, on the Mediterranean, 30 miles n.w. of Jerusalem), , Laodicea (Rev. 1:4,11, ruins of old city walls still visible, ten miles west of Colossae),  Nazareth (boyhood town of Jesus, a city of 10,000 today), Nineveh (Jonah 1:2, excavated by H.A.Layard). Rome, and many more




                                                                                                                                                Pg.2
What Jesus Knows
John 5:3 Here a great number of disabled people used to lie--the blind, the lame, the paralyzed. 4 For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had. 5 One who was there had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. 6  When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, "Do you want to get well?"
This man has been an invalid for 38 years. He has been hanging out at this pool near the temple, receiving alms for the poor. He has probably grown pretty accustomed to this lifestyle. No work, other people around. Even his answer is not a “yes”, but “I’m trying to get in the water for healing but can’t get there fast enough.” I believe that God asks us this question more often than we realize: “Do you want to get well?” Jesus has the power to heal, not just physically but emotionally, psychologically, relationally. The angel stirred the waters, but left the diseased to themselves to get in. God has put virtue into the scriptures and ordinances, for he would have healed us; but, if we do not make a due improvement of them, it is our own fault, we would not be healed.
Q1.Does one know when one wants to be healed?                                                                                 Q2.How did Jesus learn of this mans condition?                                                                                       Q3.What reason did the man have for having never gotten into the pool?                                                Q2.What are some of the problems of today's sick and ailing or crippled?                                   Q5.What are some of today's obstacles that prevent our being healed?                                       Q6.What is your feeling about vs. 4.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
Question 6 is slightly off the subject of the lesson; Vs.4 is included in the KJV and not in the NIV, there are many theories and opinions. Some believe that the waters were medicinal and were more so at different times of the year; Some believe it was an Angel, seen or unseen. What do we believe?          
What Jesus Does                                                                                                              
John 5:7,  "Sir," the invalid replied, "I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me."
8 Then Jesus said to him, "Get up! Pick up your mat and walk."

Never was a sinner more helpless than was this man. If God gave him strength to do his will, so he can do with all others; and the plea that we can do nothing could have been urged with far more propriety by this man than it can be by any impenitent sinner. This man has been crippled for life, now he has been instructed to get up and walk
Q1. Would it appear to this man at this point in his life that he has a chance for healing?
Q2. What would be our natural reaction to this command?
Q3. What is it about Jesus that is different from most men of that day?
Q4. To add drama to the event, what did Jesus tell him?
Q5. The man was told to get up and walk, Was that a possibility, considering his condition?
Q6. To respond to Jesus , the man needed incentive and strength, where was it to be found ?
Q7. When Jesus speaks things happen, are we prepared to respond when he speaks to us?
                                                                                                                                              Pg.3
Who Jesus is
Joh 5:9  At once the man was made whole; he picked up his mat and walked. The day on which this took place was a Sabbath, 10  and so the Jewish leaders said to the man who had been healed, "It is the Sabbath; the law forbids you to carry your mat." 11  But he replied, "The man who made me well said to me, 'Pick up your mat and walk.”12  So they asked him, "Who is this fellow who told you to pick it up and walk?" 13  The man who was healed had no idea who it was, for Jesus had slipped away into the crowd that was there.

There will always be those who are willing, and given the grace of God to perform the tasks that God has set before us. There will also always be those who are determined to stop his work. They will use whatever means there are to make that happen. Satan has his ways of making a willing heart for God be as much inconvenienced as is possible. But if one is determined, Satan’s work will be nullified. Nevertheless Satan does not relent in his constant barrage against God’s will and against those who have a heart for God. What did Jesus do to answer Satan in the Wilderness

Q1.Could the man have done this without Jesus?
Q2.Are there those today that are so evil that they would deny the favor of God to anyone?
Q3.Was this man a lost soul prior to being healed by Jesus?
Q4.Why would Jesus heal only this one man at this time?
Q5.Jesus had healed him without ever telling the man who he was, Why?
Q6.Are there times when people will want to chase Jesus away from us?
                                                                                                                                               
What Jesus says
John 5:14  Later Jesus found him at the temple and said to him, "See, you are well again. Stop sinning or something worse may happen to you." 15  The man went away and told the Jewish leaders that it was Jesus who had made him well.

One might preach an entire sermon on vs.14 or on vs. 15. Actually the Gospel message that John was teaching and preaching during these same times, was that very message, Repent of our sins and be baptized, or something very bad is our destiny. And Vs. 15, Go and tell, evangelize all who will listen. In every case thus far, when Jesus worked a miracle or healing, it was then that the recipient of the act went and broadcast the news.

Q1. What did Jesus imply in vs. 14?
Q2. As the woman at the well, the man wanted it known that it was Jesus who healed him Why?
Q3. Rules, The Jews are quoting the law, why are they doing this ?
Q4. Are there miraculous works that God does, that people broadcast today?
Q5. And are there those who would deny that God is at work healing people?






                                                                                                                                          Pg.4
Jesus’ defense
16 So, because Jesus was doing these things on the Sabbath, the Jewish leaders began to persecute him. 17  In his defense Jesus said to them, "My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I too am working."18  For this reason they tried all the more to kill him; not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God.

And now here we are in today's world, still faced with some of the same situations and conditions. Jesus is being persecuted, The world leaders are aligning against Christianity, and Jesus speaks from the words in the Bible.

Q2. Jesus, as the progenitor of God answers their charges with his defense. What is his defense?
Q3. And how do people today feel about that?   Pro & Con.
Q4. Are there those charges today, against Christians? Who is doing that?



Meditation:                                                                                                          
In this Scripture, we glimpse how the encounter with Christ can strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith…and that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” May that be our personal mission statement. God has plans for your life, and the lives of your loved ones. Our life is God’s gift to us, It may be filled with more hardships than we think we can possibly bear at times. That is when we rely on the faith we have gained in times of communion with Christ. God desires that we have a relationship with his Son, He desires for us to listen to him and learn from him, Our choice is to try to say “yes” not just when loving and trusting are easy, but even when it is very difficult and scary, and we desperately need him to respond. We are never alone. We are ever loved beyond all measure. But we need to be aware and certainly never underestimate what Jesus can do in our life if given an opportunity. He can do Miracles. When one gets to despair as this cripple did, one knows that all of our thinking will never get us out. We will only get out by the sheer creative effort of God. Consequently we are in the right attitude to receive from God that which we cannot gain for our self alone.”   We need to get over making great chasms between the spiritual life and the secular life, because for a Christian it should all be exactly the same. What was Jesus doing when He was here on earth? He said, "I do always those things that please the Father, "John 8:29--never anything else. He never did anything that didn't please the Father. So whether He was tired and sitting down by a well, or walking along the dusty road by Himself or perhaps going to the pool at Bethesda, or with the disciples, or being mobbed by a large crowd of people who were yelling and screaming at Him and wanting Him to do something for them--it was all spiritual work. It was all an offering to His Father.  Psa 34:22  The LORD will rescue his servants; no one who takes refuge in him will be condemned.


                                                                                                                                                Pg.5            


Closing Prayer:
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. Many of us are suffering in silence now, not able at times to respond as we want. We pray for your healing, and we pray now that  we will have Your guidance as we continue in our day to day living. It is in Jesus name we pray, AMEN