HOLY SPIRIT BLESS US
Luke 6: 6- 11
HEALING ON THE SABBATH
6 Now it happened on another Sabbath, also, that He entered the synagogue and taught. And a man was there whose right hand was withered. 7So the scribes and Pharisees watched Him closely, whether He would heal on the Sabbath, that they might find an accusation against Him. 8But He knew their thoughts, and said to the man who had the withered hand, "Arise and stand here." And he arose and stood. 9Then Jesus said to them, "I will ask you one thing: Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do evil, to save life or to destroy?" 10And when He had looked around at them all, He said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." And he did so, and his hand was restored as whole as the other. 11But they were filled with rage, and discussed with one another what they might do to Jesus.
One aspect of Jesus ministry here on earth aside from preaching and teaching is healing. There are numerous events in Jesus ministry that deals about healing. Each situation reveals an important message that is significant and still applicable to our present situation.
During the time of Jesus Christ, Sabbath was highly regarded by the Pharisees & Scribes. These people are the teachers and interpreters of the law. According to the law as was written in the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:8); “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.”
This literally means you cannot do work during the Sabbath.
What you need to do is to enter into the Synagogues & pray.
But what surprised many people is that, Jesus Christ did something good during the Sabbath which caused an adverse reaction to the Pharisee’s & Scribes. He healed a sick man and that is against the law because “to heal was to work, and work was prohibited on the Sabbath day.”
Our story for today is very simple to understand, but it has a deeper meaning in our spiritual perspective and obedience to Jesus Christ.
6 Now, it happened on another Sabbath, also, that He entered the synagogue and taught. And a man was there whose right hand was withered.
7So the scribes and Pharisees watched Him closely, whether He would heal on the Sabbath, that they might find an accusation against Him.
In Exodus 8-9 “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work,”
Jesus went to the synagogue (or chapel) to teach and preach to the people but there is a reality that we can find out, there were people inside that came just to observe what would Jesus Christ do. There was also a man sitting there whose right hand was withered.
We can find various kinds of people sitting in the church pews with different purpose or intentions.
Obviously, just like this man with a withered hand, people enter and attend church services and activities because they need Jesus Christ to do something for them- to heal and fill in the need- the vacuum from within.
Inside the church there are “kontra-bida” "opposition" like the Pharisees. They’re there in order to observe the wrong things that people might do.
. 8But He knew their thoughts, and said to the man who had the withered hand, "Arise and stand here." And he arose and stood. 9Then Jesus said to them, "I will ask you one thing: Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do evil, to save life or to destroy?"[
Jesus Christ knew what’s in our mind. He exactly knew what is our motive and understanding about life and our faith.
He knew if we are aunthentic and real in our relationship with Him or we’re just going with the flow –“ gaya-gaya tulad ng marami” "the immitators".
Jesus Christ knew who we are and every need we have. What’s amazing also is that, He is able to provide the solution despite who we are and no matter how big our needs are.
10And when He had looked around at them all, He said to the man, "Stretch out your hand."
God will do something for you and me. But He will let us do our part- to stretch our hands to make it a reality.
As Christians, what we need is to obey and listen to the message of Jesus
Christ.
Jesus Christ knew each and everyone of us who are attending this fellowship. He knows every need we have. He knows our thoughts. He knows our intentions- why we’re here every Sunday. He knows every details of our life. Everything in us lies open before God’s eyes. He knows us if we have…
- Withered faith - Until now we are not sure to whom shall we put our faith and trust- To the Creator or to the created?
- Withered future & hopes - We thought that our life will never change. We get up in the morning thinking of the same old routinary life we have.
How about the thought of the possible outbreak of war? Does it make any
difference in us and our future? Scary isn’t it? Yes it does but as Christians, we
know who holds the future. As the song goes…
“I don’t know about tomorrow … I don’t seem to understand… but I know
He holds my hand.”
So, the question now is, do we allow Jesus to hold our hands?
- Withered personality- We feel tired and worried and bothered with so many problems that sometimes we think of ourselves as lifeless, boring and useless. We can’t think right anymore. We can not integrate and we avoid people and at the same time people are avoiding us because we are not a blessing to them.) 2Corithians 5:17 says. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” We need to change our attitudes, our values and our way of life.
- Withered body - Sickness weakens our body. We are weakened physically that affects our total being. Our activities are limited if we feel something in our system is not right. We are fearful most of the time.
But, let us remember, we have a God that heals. We can always go to Him in prayer but never forget that we have a part to do also. We need to be obedient to His command. Let us also remember that we need to take care of our bodies just like what is written in the Bible. “…your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit..” (1Cor 6: 19).
Jesus Christ knew exactly who we are- our thoughts and our ways.
Do not let our hearts be troubled by looking at other people that serves as stumbling blocks like the Pharisees.
There are many people along the way who wants to knock us down but don’t let them knock us out. If we fall, stand up and stand firm the next time! Sometimes your very own family may serve as hindrances for you not to come to our Lord Jesus Christ.
Perhaps your friends and neighbors will discourage you not to do the right thing and will tell you that everything will be the same.
“Stretch out your hand.” Do something! Commit your life to Jesus. Surrender everything …every known or hidden sins… sin of unfaithfulness… sins of lack or little faith and sin of not trusting Him…sin of disobedience… sin of self-centeredness…etc…
Give everything to God. Follow His word with faith. And we ourselves will discover the reality and the blessings of life with Christ.
V.10 b And he did so, and his hand restored as whole as the other.”
There is victory in Jesus Christ! There is healing and forgiveness in the name of Jesus Christ!
There is no other name and authority given among men under heaven except Jesus Christ.
Jesus Christ is calling you today. Those of you who want healing from the Lord Jesus Christ, do not allow doubts to blanket yourself but believe and your prayers will be granted according to His will for your life.
“It is wrong to say that the church has no part in the ministry of healing as it is to say that the only thing that prevents people from being healed is their lack of faith.” – Colin Brown, “The Other Half Of The Gospel?”
Trust & have faith in Jesus Christ who is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow.:
Amen.
