Saturday
August 3, 2024

Scripture's Story for the Week

Jesus Heals on the Sabbath

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Luke 6:1-10

Jesus Is Lord of the Sabbath

1 One Sabbath Jesus was going through the grainfields, and his disciples began to pick some heads of grain, rub them in their hands and eat the kernels. 2 Some of the Pharisees asked, “Why are you doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath?”

3 Jesus answered them, “Have you never read what David did when he and his companions were hungry? 4 He entered the house of God, and taking the consecrated bread, he ate what is lawful only for priests to eat. And he also gave some to his companions.” 5 Then Jesus said to them, “The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.”

6 On another Sabbath he went into the synagogue and was teaching, and a man was there whose right hand was shriveled. 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. 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.

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?”

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.

Mark 3:1-6

Jesus Heals on the Sabbath

1 Another time Jesus went into the synagogue, and a man with a shriveled hand was there. 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. 3 Jesus said to the man with the shriveled hand, “Stand up in front of everyone.”

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.

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

Pondering Point

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Today's story of healing involves anger. “You wouldn't like me when I'm angry” were famous words of Dr. David Banner, better known as the Incredible Hulk. Dr. Banner tries to avoid that Hulk-inducing emotion. God warns us that man's anger does not bring about the righteous life He desires (James 1:20). So we are cautioned in Ephesians 4:26 not to sin when we get angry. In our story, we see both Jesus (Mark’s version) and His enemies (Luke’s version) get angry. To Jesus' credit, He does not sin in His anger. In fact, He does great good. The same could not be said for His enemies, who in their anger go out and plot to kill an innocent man.


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Prayer

Father God, this prayer seems rather straightforward: When I get angry, may I not sin. Instead lead me to do great good. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.


Ephesians 4:26-27

26 “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 and do not give the devil a foothold.


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