There was an expectation among the Jewish people and the religious leaders that “things would change when Messiah came.” Age-old disputes would be settled; the temple would be needed no longer: salvation would come through faith and works, not DNA; Messiah would reign as King and Priest. The law of mercy and not sacrifice would be instituted. Sounds good, right? Yes, until your job is on the line.  It takes vision and the Spirit of God to rejoice through the fulfillment of prophesies. Instead, the Religious Leaders took the untenable position of striving to maintain the status quo.    

***

Chapter 18: Jesus Heals A Withered Hand

JESUS entered into the synagogue to teach.  In attendance was a man with a withered hand.

            The scribes and the Pharisees watched Jesus closely to see if he would heal him since it was still the Sabbath day, thinking they might be able to accuse him.

             Jesus knew their thoughts and was grieved at their hardness of heart.  He said to the main with the withered hand:

            “Rise up, and stand forth in the midst.”

When the man had done so, Jesus said to the scribes and Pharisees:

            “What man shall there be among you, that shall have one sheep, and if it fall into a pit on the Sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it, and lift it out? How much then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the Sabbath days.”

             Then Jesus said to the man:

            “Stretch forth thine hand.”

            When it was extended, it was immediately healed and was as good as the other hand.

            Thereupon the scribes and the Pharisees left and conferred among themselves and with the Herodians as to how they might destroy Jesus.

***

Matthew 12:9-14; Mark 3:1-6; Luke 6:6-11

There was an expectation among the Jewish people and the religious leaders that “things would change when Messiah came.” Age-old disputes would be settled; the temple would be needed no longer: salvation would come through faith and works, not DNA; Messiah would reign as King and Priest. The law of mercy and not sacrifice would be instituted. Sounds good, right? Yes, until your job is on the line.  It takes vision and the Spirit of God to rejoice through the fulfillment of prophesies. Instead, the Religious Leaders took the untenable position of striving to maintain the status quo.    

***

Chapter 18: Jesus Heals A Withered Hand

JESUS entered into the synagogue to teach.  In attendance was a man with a withered hand.

            The scribes and the Pharisees watched Jesus closely to see if he would heal him since it was still the Sabbath day, thinking they might be able to accuse him.

             Jesus knew their thoughts and was grieved at their hardness of heart.  He said to the main with the withered hand:

            “Rise up, and stand forth in the midst.”

When the man had done so, Jesus said to the scribes and Pharisees:

            “What man shall there be among you, that shall have one sheep, and if it fall into a pit on the Sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it, and lift it out? How much then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the Sabbath days.”

             Then Jesus said to the man:

            “Stretch forth thine hand.”

            When it was extended, it was immediately healed and was as good as the other hand.

            Thereupon the scribes and the Pharisees left and conferred among themselves and with the Herodians as to how they might destroy Jesus.

***

Matthew 12:9-14; Mark 3:1-6; Luke 6:6-11

There was an expectation among the Jewish people and the religious leaders that “things would change when Messiah came.” Age-old disputes would be settled; the temple would be needed no longer: salvation would come through faith and works, not DNA; Messiah would reign as King and Priest. The law of mercy and not sacrifice would be instituted. Sounds good, right? Yes, until your job is on the line.  It takes vision and the Spirit of God to rejoice through the fulfillment of prophesies. Instead, the Religious Leaders took the untenable position of striving to maintain the status quo.    

***

Chapter 18: Jesus Heals A Withered Hand

JESUS entered into the synagogue to teach.  In attendance was a man with a withered hand.

            The scribes and the Pharisees watched Jesus closely to see if he would heal him since it was still the Sabbath day, thinking they might be able to accuse him.

             Jesus knew their thoughts and was grieved at their hardness of heart.  He said to the main with the withered hand:

            “Rise up, and stand forth in the midst.”

When the man had done so, Jesus said to the scribes and Pharisees:

            “What man shall there be among you, that shall have one sheep, and if it fall into a pit on the Sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it, and lift it out? How much then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the Sabbath days.”

             Then Jesus said to the man:

            “Stretch forth thine hand.”

            When it was extended, it was immediately healed and was as good as the other hand.

            Thereupon the scribes and the Pharisees left and conferred among themselves and with the Herodians as to how they might destroy Jesus.

***

Matthew 12:9-14; Mark 3:1-6; Luke 6:6-11

There was an expectation among the Jewish people and the religious leaders that “things would change when Messiah came.” Age-old disputes would be settled; the temple would be needed no longer: salvation would come through faith and works, not DNA; Messiah would reign as King and Priest. The law of mercy and not sacrifice would be instituted. Sounds good, right? Yes, until your job is on the line.  It takes vision and the Spirit of God to rejoice through the fulfillment of prophesies. Instead, the Religious Leaders took the untenable position of striving to maintain the status quo.    

***

Chapter 18: Jesus Heals A Withered Hand

JESUS entered into the synagogue to teach.  In attendance was a man with a withered hand.

            The scribes and the Pharisees watched Jesus closely to see if he would heal him since it was still the Sabbath day, thinking they might be able to accuse him.

             Jesus knew their thoughts and was grieved at their hardness of heart.  He said to the main with the withered hand:

            “Rise up, and stand forth in the midst.”

When the man had done so, Jesus said to the scribes and Pharisees:

            “What man shall there be among you, that shall have one sheep, and if it fall into a pit on the Sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it, and lift it out? How much then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the Sabbath days.”

             Then Jesus said to the man:

            “Stretch forth thine hand.”

            When it was extended, it was immediately healed and was as good as the other hand.

            Thereupon the scribes and the Pharisees left and conferred among themselves and with the Herodians as to how they might destroy Jesus.

***

Matthew 12:9-14; Mark 3:1-6; Luke 6:6-11

There was an expectation among the Jewish people and the religious leaders that “things would change when Messiah came.” Age-old disputes would be settled; the temple would be needed no longer: salvation would come through faith and works, not DNA; Messiah would reign as King and Priest. The law of mercy and not sacrifice would be instituted. Sounds good, right? Yes, until your job is on the line.  It takes vision and the Spirit of God to rejoice through the fulfillment of prophesies. Instead, the Religious Leaders took the untenable position of striving to maintain the status quo.    

***

Chapter 18: Jesus Heals A Withered Hand

JESUS entered into the synagogue to teach.  In attendance was a man with a withered hand.

            The scribes and the Pharisees watched Jesus closely to see if he would heal him since it was still the Sabbath day, thinking they might be able to accuse him.

             Jesus knew their thoughts and was grieved at their hardness of heart.  He said to the main with the withered hand:

            “Rise up, and stand forth in the midst.”

When the man had done so, Jesus said to the scribes and Pharisees:

            “What man shall there be among you, that shall have one sheep, and if it fall into a pit on the Sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it, and lift it out? How much then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the Sabbath days.”

             Then Jesus said to the man:

            “Stretch forth thine hand.”

            When it was extended, it was immediately healed and was as good as the other hand.

            Thereupon the scribes and the Pharisees left and conferred among themselves and with the Herodians as to how they might destroy Jesus.

***

Matthew 12:9-14; Mark 3:1-6; Luke 6:6-11

There was an expectation among the Jewish people and the religious leaders that “things would change when Messiah came.” Age-old disputes would be settled; the temple would be needed no longer: salvation would come through faith and works, not DNA; Messiah would reign as King and Priest. The law of mercy and not sacrifice would be instituted. Sounds good, right? Yes, until your job is on the line.  It takes vision and the Spirit of God to rejoice through the fulfillment of prophesies. Instead, the Religious Leaders took the untenable position of striving to maintain the status quo.    

***

Chapter 18: Jesus Heals A Withered Hand

JESUS entered into the synagogue to teach.  In attendance was a man with a withered hand.

            The scribes and the Pharisees watched Jesus closely to see if he would heal him since it was still the Sabbath day, thinking they might be able to accuse him.

             Jesus knew their thoughts and was grieved at their hardness of heart.  He said to the main with the withered hand:

            “Rise up, and stand forth in the midst.”

When the man had done so, Jesus said to the scribes and Pharisees:

            “What man shall there be among you, that shall have one sheep, and if it fall into a pit on the Sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it, and lift it out? How much then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the Sabbath days.”

             Then Jesus said to the man:

            “Stretch forth thine hand.”

            When it was extended, it was immediately healed and was as good as the other hand.

            Thereupon the scribes and the Pharisees left and conferred among themselves and with the Herodians as to how they might destroy Jesus.

***

Matthew 12:9-14; Mark 3:1-6; Luke 6:6-11

There was an expectation among the Jewish people and the religious leaders that “things would change when Messiah came.” Age-old disputes would be settled; the temple would be needed no longer: salvation would come through faith and works, not DNA; Messiah would reign as King and Priest. The law of mercy and not sacrifice would be instituted. Sounds good, right? Yes, until your job is on the line.  It takes vision and the Spirit of God to rejoice through the fulfillment of prophesies. Instead, the Religious Leaders took the untenable position of striving to maintain the status quo.    

***

Chapter 18: Jesus Heals A Withered Hand

JESUS entered into the synagogue to teach.  In attendance was a man with a withered hand.

            The scribes and the Pharisees watched Jesus closely to see if he would heal him since it was still the Sabbath day, thinking they might be able to accuse him.

             Jesus knew their thoughts and was grieved at their hardness of heart.  He said to the main with the withered hand:

            “Rise up, and stand forth in the midst.”

When the man had done so, Jesus said to the scribes and Pharisees:

            “What man shall there be among you, that shall have one sheep, and if it fall into a pit on the Sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it, and lift it out? How much then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the Sabbath days.”

             Then Jesus said to the man:

            “Stretch forth thine hand.”

            When it was extended, it was immediately healed and was as good as the other hand.

            Thereupon the scribes and the Pharisees left and conferred among themselves and with the Herodians as to how they might destroy Jesus.

***

Matthew 12:9-14; Mark 3:1-6; Luke 6:6-11

There was an expectation among the Jewish people and the religious leaders that “things would change when Messiah came.” Age-old disputes would be settled; the temple would be needed no longer: salvation would come through faith and works, not DNA; Messiah would reign as King and Priest. The law of mercy and not sacrifice would be instituted. Sounds good, right? Yes, until your job is on the line.  It takes vision and the Spirit of God to rejoice through the fulfillment of prophesies. Instead, the Religious Leaders took the untenable position of striving to maintain the status quo.    

***

Chapter 18: Jesus Heals A Withered Hand

JESUS entered into the synagogue to teach.  In attendance was a man with a withered hand.

            The scribes and the Pharisees watched Jesus closely to see if he would heal him since it was still the Sabbath day, thinking they might be able to accuse him.

             Jesus knew their thoughts and was grieved at their hardness of heart.  He said to the main with the withered hand:

            “Rise up, and stand forth in the midst.”

When the man had done so, Jesus said to the scribes and Pharisees:

            “What man shall there be among you, that shall have one sheep, and if it fall into a pit on the Sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it, and lift it out? How much then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the Sabbath days.”

             Then Jesus said to the man:

            “Stretch forth thine hand.”

            When it was extended, it was immediately healed and was as good as the other hand.

            Thereupon the scribes and the Pharisees left and conferred among themselves and with the Herodians as to how they might destroy Jesus.

***

Matthew 12:9-14; Mark 3:1-6; Luke 6:6-11

“For [Pharisees] bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.” Jesus came to abolish the statutes and ordinances which were added to the law. Most first century Jews, in fact many present-day Jews have an understanding that the temple will no longer be required after Messiah came.

***

Chapter 17. JESUS REPLIES TO THE PHARISEES CONCERNING KEEPING THE SABBATH (Part 2)

ON A SABBATH day Jesus and his disciples went through a grain field. They were hungry; so the disciples plucked grain and began to eat. When the Pharisees saw this, they said:

               “Behold, thy disciples do that which is not lawful to do upon the Sabbath day.”

            Jesus replied:

   “Have ye not read what David did, when he was hungry, and they that were with him: how he entered into the house of God, and did eat the unleavened bread, which was not lawful for him to eat, neither for them which were with him, but only for the priests? Or have ye not read in the law, how that on the Sabbath days the priests in the temple profane the Sabbath, and are blameless? But I say unto you that in this place is one greater than the temple. But if ye had known what this meaneth: ‘I will have mercy, and not sacrifice,’ ye would not have condemned the guiltless.  The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath.  Therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the Sabbath.”

***

Matthew 12:1-8; Mark 2:23-28; Luke 6:1-5

“For [Pharisees] bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.” Jesus came to abolish the statutes and ordinances which were added to the law. Most first century Jews, in fact many present-day Jews have an understanding that the temple will no longer be required after Messiah came.

***

Chapter 17. JESUS REPLIES TO THE PHARISEES CONCERNING KEEPING THE SABBATH (Part 2)

ON A SABBATH day Jesus and his disciples went through a grain field. They were hungry; so the disciples plucked grain and began to eat. When the Pharisees saw this, they said:

               “Behold, thy disciples do that which is not lawful to do upon the Sabbath day.”

            Jesus replied:

   “Have ye not read what David did, when he was hungry, and they that were with him: how he entered into the house of God, and did eat the unleavened bread, which was not lawful for him to eat, neither for them which were with him, but only for the priests? Or have ye not read in the law, how that on the Sabbath days the priests in the temple profane the Sabbath, and are blameless? But I say unto you that in this place is one greater than the temple. But if ye had known what this meaneth: ‘I will have mercy, and not sacrifice,’ ye would not have condemned the guiltless.  The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath.  Therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the Sabbath.”

***

Matthew 12:1-8; Mark 2:23-28; Luke 6:1-5