January 31, 2012 Who Killed the Gospel?

Who Killed the Gospel?

Mark 3:1-6 Another time he 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.

DO YOU think this episode makes any sense? Jesus healed a man with a withered hand. Then the Pharisees looked for ways to kill him. Seriously? “Wake up, Pharisees! The Lord of Life is healing people. Celebrate him.”
Before you get too critical, though, what about this? I’ve heard of people being offended because a church group worked on a Sunday to help some people in need. “It’s the Sabbath. You don’t do those things on a Sunday!”
Why not? Do you see the God, who came from the throne of heaven to minister into impoverished, disease-ridden communities? Do you see the God, who healed on the Sabbath and was angry and deeply distressed over the stubborn, traditional hearts around him? Would Jesus want you to heal people’s needs on the Sabbath?
What do you think? When did holding back God become a mission of the church? The Pharisees killed Jesus. When did the church kill the gospel?

Pause and consider how Jesus loved this man. Go and do likewise.