Withered Hand

Mark 3:1-6 Matt 12:9-14 Luke 6:6-11 #50

I was born in a village in Israel with a withered hand. Everything else worked fine but I became known by the part of me that didn’t work – my hand. It was shrivelled up, floppy and useless. People gave me names. ‘Worthless’, “the withered hand man”, they called me. They gossiped about me. “There is a defect in his family background”. “He is cursed by God”. I embarrassed my parents. I couldn’t work properly. I couldn’t support the family. I was a low class.

I used to sit at the market watching everyone else using both hands, and getting on with life. Few spoke to me and no one knew how to help me. I felt bad. I believed the label, “worthless”, just like my right hand.

In our society one day out of seven is a rest day. We called it the Sabbath. It is the fourth commandment of the big ten God gave our great ancestor, Moses. Instead of working we rest and pray and go to the local synagogue. God gave us this law to give us a rest just as He had done on the seventh day after making the world. It didn’t mean we couldn’t help a sick person, or pluck a few fruits or grain to eat. Or if our ox got stuck in a pit, of course we could pull it out. God gave us this law to help us, to have a good rest and to honour Him. I liked the Sabbath because I could be more like everyone else - doing no work.

One Sabbath day I am sitting at the market and vendors are squatting on the path selling fish. Balance, knives, chopping block, fish, flies, and smell. A Pharisee comes out from his big house, beautifully dressed, head held high, strolling along very dignified, and taking respectful greetings from common people. He notices these fish vendors. A glare of disapproval, a pointing finger, a sharp word of authority and those fellows quickly shut up shop. The Pharisee walks on to the synagogue, right past me. He didn’t even notice me.

This Sabbath day there is talk around town of a visitor from Nazareth called Jesus. He is becoming famous for doing miracles, healing sick people and expelling demons. He also teaches powerful words from God. I hope to see this man. I go to the Synagogue early and get a seat down the back where I’m less likely get pushed out.

The Pharisees are getting ready. The chief officer is preparing the order of the meeting. A synagogue official is preparing the collection box for the tithe. The elders are keeping a close watch on that box. They will distribute the money. Some for temple expenses, some for the poor and probably a lot for themselves. A large strong man is standing in full view with a whip. If anyone steps out of line, the elders can give the signal and he will whip them into submission. These rulers hold us public in tight control. No one dares challenge them at risk of public shame.

The synagogue is full and overflowing. The service is about to start. Crowds wait outside. I am excited. The crowd goes quiet. All eyes turn to the door. It is Jesus. But, what! He is just an ordinary young man, about 30, scraggy hair, dusty sandals, relaxed and casual with a big smile. He looks like a nice guy. He strolls up the front, past the elders in the front row, smiles at a group of ordinary people, and doesn’t even greet the elders. Then His eyes move towards the back, and they seem to stop and fix on me for a moment. My heart fires up. No one knows it.

Then the atmosphere becomes tense. The elders are muttering among themselves. “Who is this young man who doesn’t even acknowledge us? We are the rulers here.” They begin the service. A big crowd have turned up today. Not for some boring service of the rulers but to see Jesus. Many are hoping to see a miracle even though they know it is against the Pharisees’ laws. The elders are running a risk allowing Jesus to teach at ‘their’ synagogue. But they have a plan if He should challenge their authority. They will quote their law books, expose Him as an offender, join to accuse Him, and if necessary call on the services of their strong attendant, whip in hand, and show that they are in charge here.

Jesus knows what they are thinking. He is not scared of elders and their petty laws? It is Sabbath rest day and Jesus is quite relaxed.

Then, looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, they ask Him, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?”

Jesus is ready for them. He answers. “What man is there among you who has one sheep, and, if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will not grab hold of it and lift it out? How much more valuable is a man than a sheep?” That answer quietens the Pharisees.

Jesus does some teaching. Then He stops what He is saying and moves His gaze to the back row… to me. I freeze. Jesus breaks the silence. “Get up, come to the front and stand in front of everyone.”

My heart races, body sweats. I shake in fear. I am under a command. I do what I am told. I can’t leave my shameful, withered hand behind. It comes too. All eyes turn on me. I am centre of attention. I hear whispers. “Withered hand man”, “worthless” – my shame is exposed.

Jesus is falling right into their trap if He heals me. Nothing will change, if He doesn’t.

Jesus looks around at the whole crowd, in the aisles, through the windows and outside from over the whole countryside. He asks them all a question,

“Which is lawful to do on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?” There is silence. The answer is obvious. The atmosphere is tense. A duel is on. One brave man against a hardened group of synagogue rulers lost for words but angry. I stand in the centre. The hard faces of the Pharisees on one side and the calm gentle face of Jesus on the other. What will Jesus do? Will He heal me? If He does, what will the Pharisees do?

My hand droops down for all to see. The crowd want to witness a miracle. Jesus turns to the rulers. He is angry at them, deeply upset at their hard, stubborn hearts. He glares at each of them one after another. How dare they pretend to represent God. Just who does have authority in Israel anyway? Is it the ones who can give orders to a strong man with a whip? Or is it One who can heal a withered hand with a word?

Jesus turns and looks at me. He gives a command – firm but kind. “Stretch out your hand”. I must obey. It is not my good hand He is referring to – but the hand that defined me – withered. Slowly I raise my arm. Everyone holds their breath. It’s not the same hand! It’s been made completely new. The fingers, they move. The wrist – it is strong, normal. I’m normal. My labels – gone. A healed hand and a healed heart. No longer worthless, now useful, valuable, acceptable, restored.

A great cheer goes up from the crowds. They are seeing a miracle. They are seeing the great power of God. They are witnessing my redemption. My curse is gone. From now on I will be defined as the one Jesus healed. I have a new identity – in Jesus – restored, made whole. My shame and disgrace – gone. Everyone is praising God for what they are seeing before their eyes.

But not those rulers. One of them gets up and leaves. Another follows; then others. Soon all their seats are empty. They depose themselves – under the weight of public opinion. They go back to their big houses and behind closed doors plot how they might kill Jesus. “To kill on the Sabbath.” Yes, Jesus asked exactly the right question. Jesus had healed a man but they depart to plot how to kill a man.

The crowd know who has been sent by God. Not those false rulers but this Jesus of Nazareth.

Withered Hand “Get real” questions

1. What was wrong with this man’s hand?

2. What effect did this have on his social standing?

3. What did he think about his self-worth?

4. What was the day of rest called?

5. Where did they meet on that day?

6. What did the crowd want to see?

7. What did the rulers want with the crowd?

8. What did the rulers want with Jesus?

9. What did Jesus want for the crowd?

10 What did Jesus want for the man?

Questions of the story / Personal questions
2. / What effect did his withered hand have on this man’s life? / Has there been anything that has dominated your life?
3. / What effect did the labels and public opinion have on this man? / How have labels or public opinion affected you?
4. / How was this man’s world dominated by religious authorities? / Who dominates your world? How?
5. / Why did Jesus pick this man out of a large crowd? / Does God notice you individually?
6. / What was wrong with the Pharisees’ Laws about the Sabbath day? / Do you take a rest day? If so, how do you use it?
7. / What was wrong with the hearts of the Pharisees? / What is the state of your heart?
8. / How did Jesus heal this man’s hand? / How might Jesus heal you?
9. / What was the response of the crowd to this miracle? / What is your response to Jesus?
10 / Why did the Pharisees choose not to believe? / What is the reason for your beliefs?