Scripture:

Mark 3:1-6
1 He entered again into a synagogue; and a man was there whose hand was withered.
2 They were watching Him to see if He would heal him on the Sabbath, so that they might accuse Him.
3 He said to the man with the withered hand, "Get up and come forward!" 
4 And He said to them, "Is it lawful to do good or to do harm on the Sabbath, to save a life or to kill?" But they kept silent.
5 After looking around at them with anger, grieved at their hardness of heart, He said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." And he stretched it out, and his hand was restored.
6 The Pharisees went out and immediately began conspiring with the Herodians against Him, as to how they might destroy Him.
NASU


Thoughts:

Jesus' probing question (verse 4) reveals the stubbornness of the Pharisees.  They will not answer His simple question, likely because it exposed the folly of their prohibition on healing on the Sabbath (as if this was a frequent occurrence apart from Jesus!).  Instead, they grow more determined to end Jesus' life (verse 6).

Jesus liked to ask questions like these of people during His ministry.  Questions that would make the questioned consider how they were living.  Questions that would reveal their sin.

Jesus still asks these kinds of questions through the work of the Holy Spirit and the Bible.  Has He asked any of you or me, lately?  Are we avoiding the question, refusing to answer like the Pharisees?  Or are we answering honestly, coming clean before the Lord?


Prayer:

Jesus, thank You that You love me too much to allow me to go through life in error.  You are diligent to point out the areas where my life is not in line with Your word. 

Oh God, help me to respond in faith, humility, and openness to You.  Keep me from the stubborn pride the Pharisees displayed here.  I want to be pliable in Your hands, not hardened against Your sanctifying work.

Amen