Stretch Out Your Hand

STRETCH OUT YOUR HAND

Mark 3:1-7 (Matthew 12:9-15; Luke 6:6-12)

Introduction:

1. We are going to be looking at Mark 3:1-7. But I want you to imagine in Jesus’ day the editor of the Galilee Gazette running excitedly into the press room shouting, “Stop the Press! Stop the Press!” We have a new headline – it reads:

Jesus Attends Worship Service

Local Man Receives Great Blessing

In Mark 3 we’ll look at what should have made the headlines, had there actually been a Galilee Gazette.

2. Perhaps its not as sensational, and doesn’t make head-lines today either, but Jesus was here at our worship service this morning, and he’s here again tonight. How many today have received great blessings from Him?

a. I want to ask, HOW can you and I get a great blessing?

3. In the pass I have heard some lament, “Well, I didn’t get anything out of the worship.”

Question: Did you bring anything to put it in?

a. Old time preachers use to say, “When you go to the spring for water, you’ve got to take a bucket.”

b. Did we bring our bucket today?

c. Some come with a sieve – and everything pours right through!

Some come with a bucket with holes – and much leaks out

And some don’t bring no bucket!

4. Open your Bibles to Mark 3:1-7. This will be our procedure:

1) We will look at the background to this section of scripture.

2) We will look at the passage verse by verse –

3) We will look at some lessons to remember from this passage.

5. Background – Jesus’ return from Judean ministry. Religious leaders becoming hostile.

1. Mark 3.1 (Matt. 12:9-15 Luke 6:6-12 )

1. Jesus’ custom -- Lk. 4:16; cf. Mark 1:21; 1:39. (Lk 6:6 Jesus “teaching” on this occasion also.)

2. Unknown synagogue in Galilee.

3. Jesus in the midst of those worshiping God – Matthew 18:20.

4. "Withered" NIV =”shriveled”

Atrophy, 1. A wasting or decrease in size of a bodily organ, tissue, or part owing to disease, injury, or lack of use: muscular atrophy of a person affected with paralysis. 2. A wasting away, deterioration,

5. Luke says his "right" hand. (6:6)

2. Mark 3.2

1. “They” = Pharisees & scribes (Lk.6:7)

2. “They” were at worship but were "spectators" (watching)

3. "Cure on Sabbath" The Pharisees themselves were divided into two schools of though over how much health care a physician could give on the Sabbath. Many believed that he could give “life-threatening” help to the sick, but no more. He couldn’t treat routine sickness.

a. But the Pharisees were more interested in keeping their traditions than in showing mercy or compassion for the man.

b. Lost their sense of values – if a man has one sheep to fall into pit, would rescue it!

4. "Accuse him" = The Pharisees were hoping to be able to accuse Jesus of being a Sabbath breaker, and worthy of death.

5. Some think man was planted. But probably just here to worship. But they were aware of him.

a. Seems he had no part in their plot. I’m sure he was most grateful for the blessing he received from the Lord.

7. They knew the Lord was compassionate -- use it to entrap him!?

a. Some had come to the synagogue that day to worship God –

b. Apparently some were there as spectators –

c. Some were there, self-righteous, and looking for faults in others, and critical --

d. Some there with injured lives and needing God’s help to make them whole again.

What kind of worshiper have you been today?

3. Mark 3.3

1. “Rise and come forward” “Stand forward” KJV, before them. As if the man himself were on trial whether he had right to be healed or not, whether he is more valuable than a sheep.

2. So the whole congregation could now see him.

3. Seeing the man should have caused them to have compassion on him -- not harden their hearts against him being healed.

a. We need to look with compassion on those needing God’s help.

4. Mark 3.4

1. Jesus deals first with the spectators so if possible to prevent them from being offended.

a. Jesus shows us a good rule to follow here when dealing with people, Prevent offence if possible.

2. Jesus asks a rhetorical question (vs. 4) -- not sure if he even expected an answer.

a. They couldn’t answer. Put them into a dilemma.

3. Jesus considered if one had the power to do good and didn’t, it was evil.

a. The wording here is "good" vs "evil" – we’d say "right" vs. "wrong"

b. On the Lord’s day which is best – to save a life or to kill?

4. "Silent" -- they were learning his power of logic and truth and didn’t want to publicly appear un-compassionate.