ANGRY JESUS

Quiet Time Thoughts from Phillip Wee:

READ Mark 3:1-6

Jesus entered the synagogue again, and a man was there who had a withered hand. The (fault-finding) priests watched Him closely to see whether He would heal him on the Sabbath, so that they might accuse Him. He said to the man who had the withered hand, “Step forward.” Then He said to them, “Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?” They kept silent. Jesus looked around at them with anger, being grieved by the hardness of their hearts, He said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” And he stretched it out, and his hand was restored as whole as the other. Then the Pharisees went out and immediately plotted with the Herodians against Him in order to destroy Him.

RECORD

Timeless biblical truth: Jesus does not appreciate people who are hard-hearted. By the same token, He loves people who are kind-hearted.

REFLECT

It’s not difficult to visualize the man who had the withered hand. He probably looks dirty, not having bathed for some time. I wouldn’t be surprised if he also has some sores. The man was there because he hoped that Jesus would heal him because he badly needed his hand, and being a Jewish holy day didn’t faze him: so much for observing service time to pray for the needy fella at the end of the service. Jesus didn’t hesitate; He healing the man immediately! He didn’t wait for the sermon to be preached that day, and for the man to accept Him as his personal Savior. He understood – wow! Someone had a need; Jesus met that need. He always did that. No theorizing!

RESPOND

Father, when John 3:16 announced that You loved the world, and that You sent Your only begotten Son, it was for real. Jesus is indeed for real. You promised; You deliver each and every time … without fail. Whatever a person desperately needs, You’d get angry if we, Your hands and feet here on earth dither. You didn’t tell ask to be chaplains, just healers, in the authority of the name of Your only begotten Son, Jesus Christ ... to the praise of Your glory! Let me today be worthy of the Blood You shed for me. In Jesus’ name, Amen!