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Mark 3:1-6
Jesus has taught that He is Lord of the Sabbath (Mark 2:27-28), and this is a tough lesson for the religious leaders of the day as they have followed the Law and tradition of doing nothing on the Sabbath that would be considered work. But Jesus brought about radical change in His teaching. In Mark 3:1-6 Jesus challenges the religious tradition by questioning the people in Mark 3:4 asking them, “Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?” The people were so caught up in the written word that they could not see the good in it – they were spiritually blind. The Bible teaches us that their hardened hearts angered Jesus (Mark 3:5). Jesus healed a man, and in this wonderful thing that Jesus did was taken to no celebration but a quest to destroy Him (Mark 3:6).
This is an example of the hardness of the hearts of man.
Jesus came to save the world from sin (John 3:16-17). This example in Mark 3:1-6 shows us just how hard the hearts of man can be toward Jesus as He performed a healing miracle in their presence, and yet they continued not only to not believe in Him but their hearts grew harder toward Him. Jesus did miracles to show the people – to show us that He is the Son of God. He proclaimed the good news of the kingdom of heaven. And as He first preached in Mark 1:15 (NKJV), “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.” The time is fulfilled. Repent and believe in the saving and miraculous power of our Savior and Son of the only true living God – Jesus.
Dear LORD,
It seems as if we too are like those who refuse to believe in Jesus even though His miracles are clearly seen in our lives too. We are quick to find fault as it is our earthly nature to do so. But please help us to break the earthly nature’s grasp on our lives and experience radical change in our lives through the saving power of Jesus that we too might be healed and our hearts be softened to Your great love for us – in Christ. In Jesus name I pray, amen.