And if your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life crippled, than, having your two hands, to go into hell, into the unquenchable fire, - Mark 9:43
Welcome back! This morning’s message is the 8th installment of our sermon series on “The Miracles of Jesus”. In today’s sermon we will cover 2 stories so I’ve titled it, “A Man’s Withered Hand and Followers in a Crowd”. The account of the man with the withered hand is recorded in all 3 synoptic gospels, while the account of the followers in a crowd is only found in 2 of them. For the sake of this morning’s discussion, we will use Matthew 12:9-21 as our primary text.
I. IS IT LAWFUL? (Matthew 12:9-12; Mark 3:1-4; Luke 6:6-9)
Jesus left Jerusalem and returned to Galilee (perhaps to Capernaum, though not stated) where He was teaching in a synagogue on the Sabbath day. Among those listening was a man with a withered hand. Also in the audience were some Pharisees who were seeking a reason to accuse Jesus. So they asked Him if it was lawful to heal on the Sabbath. Jesus posed a question to them, “If your sheep fell into a pit on the Sabbath day wouldn’t you rescue it?” The answer - of course they would. Then He stated, “A person is more valuable than a sheep. Therefore, it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.”
It is uncertain what was wrong with the man’s withered hand. Perhaps it was shrunken, deformed, injured, paralyzed, or misshapen in some other way. Nevertheless, there is no indication that he approached Jesus to seek healing. On the contrary, it appears he had come to the synagogue simply to hear Jesus preach. This is an important distinction. While there were many people coming to Jesus primarily to either receive or witness a miracle, there were others - like this man - who came to hear His teaching.
Like last week’s message, this story takes place on the Sabbath day. In Luke and Mark’s rendition, Jesus doesn’t ask about a sheep falling into a pit but rather asks His accusers whether it is lawful to do good or evil on the Sabbath, to save a life or kill it? In essence, this is the same question. If you see someone or something in peril you must act - regardless of what day it is. By doing nothing you are tacitly doing evil by neglecting to help. God’s people should not withhold good from those to whom it is due when it is in their power to do so, even on the Sabbath day (Proverbs 3:27).
II. STRETCH OUT YOUR HAND (Matthew 12:13-14; Mark 3:5-6; Luke 6:10-11)
Jesus knew that His adversaries were looking for a reason to accuse Him. He was grieved by the hardness of their hearts. Nevertheless, he asked the man with the withered hand to step forward and said, “Stretch out your hand!” Immediately it was restored to normal like the other and he stretched it out. The Pharisees and Herodians present were furious and went out to counsel together against Jesus, discussing how they might destroy Him.
This passage provides another example of Jesus’ omniscience. As we’ve already discussed in this series, He knows what we are thinking. Also notice that He didn’t feel anger toward the Pharisees, but rather sorrow over their hard-heartedness. Beloved, Jesus isn’t mad at you because of your sin. Rather, He is saddened by it and longs for you to repent and receive forgiveness. Jesus loved these Pharisees and He loves you too, no matter who you are or what you’ve done.
This can be categorized as another healing miracle. Jesus spoke and the man’s hand was restored, allowing him to stretch it out. In this instance, the man didn’t ask Jesus to be healed. Rather, Jesus healed him to enhance His teaching and answer His own question about doing good on the Sabbath day. In so doing, He demonstrated His compassion for people while revealing His identity as the divine Son of God.
III. DO NOT TELL (Matthew 12:15-21; Mark 3:7-12)
Jesus left the synagogue and withdrew to the Sea of Galilee. A large crowd made up of people from Galilee and several surrounding regions followed Him. Among them were several Gentiles. Jesus had the disciples prepare a boat in the event He needed to escape the pressing crowd. He healed many people and cast out several demons, warning them all to remain silent and not make His identity known.
In Matthew’s gospel, this occasion is cited as a fulfillment of prophecy. Isaiah 42:1-4 speaks of the Suffering Servant who would show compassion, humility, and meekness while also bringing justice to the Gentiles. Matthew uses this instance to show that Jesus is, in fact, this Suffering Servant - the long-awaited Messiah.
This episode describes several miracles which include both healings and exorcisms. Although the Scriptures say (in Mark’s account) that the people were clamoring to touch Him, it remains uncertain exactly what method(s) Jesus used to heal them. Were they healed just by touching Him? The text doesn't say. Jesus did urge those He healed to keep quiet and warned the demons He cast out to remain silent, so He clearly wasn’t seeking attention. His ultimate goal was that the people might recognize Him as the Son of God and believe Him for the forgiveness of their sins.
CONCLUSION
Jesus’ enemies frequently tried to paint Him as a law breaker, particularly when it came to violating the Sabbath. Jesus performed at least 7 miracles on the Sabbath day, including the aforementioned restoration of a man’s withered hand. Jesus kept the Sabbath as the LORD intended it, but did not submit to the perverted excesses of the Law added by the Pharisees. God’s work continues even on the Sabbath day and it is not a sin to do good on the Sabbath.
This is a lesser point, but it jumps out to me… so indulge me if you would. Jesus emphatically declared that “a man is more valuable than a sheep.” Friends, human life and human interests take precedent over animals. The animals were created for mankind’s use and benefit. I am not saying that people should be cruel to animals or mistreat them. In fact, all of God’s creation should be cared for and respected. But, if it comes down to choosing between the well being of people or animals, people win. Men and women are the crowning piece of God’s creation and are more precious in His sight than anything else.
I find it refreshing to read about someone coming to Jesus who is not seeking a miracle or something for himself, but instead just wants to hear Jesus preach the gospel. Beloved, there is nothing wrong with asking Jesus to do a miracle in your life, but when that’s all you seek Him for something is very wrong. Jesus is asking something of us - a lifetime of wholehearted love, devotion, obedience, and service. Following Jesus is costly, but it is so worth it! Will you commit your life to Him today?
Looking ahead, next Sunday we will cover 2 more miraculous stories on our lengthy list of “The Miracles of Jesus”. We’ll discuss several healings before a sermon in Galilee and the healing of a centurion's slave. I hope you will join us then for this exciting message. May God bless you!
Welcome back! This morning’s message is the 8th installment of our sermon series on “The Miracles of Jesus”. In today’s sermon we will cover 2 stories so I’ve titled it, “A Man’s Withered Hand and Followers in a Crowd”. The account of the man with the withered hand is recorded in all 3 synoptic gospels, while the account of the followers in a crowd is only found in 2 of them. For the sake of this morning’s discussion, we will use Matthew 12:9-21 as our primary text.
I. IS IT LAWFUL? (Matthew 12:9-12; Mark 3:1-4; Luke 6:6-9)
Jesus left Jerusalem and returned to Galilee (perhaps to Capernaum, though not stated) where He was teaching in a synagogue on the Sabbath day. Among those listening was a man with a withered hand. Also in the audience were some Pharisees who were seeking a reason to accuse Jesus. So they asked Him if it was lawful to heal on the Sabbath. Jesus posed a question to them, “If your sheep fell into a pit on the Sabbath day wouldn’t you rescue it?” The answer - of course they would. Then He stated, “A person is more valuable than a sheep. Therefore, it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.”
It is uncertain what was wrong with the man’s withered hand. Perhaps it was shrunken, deformed, injured, paralyzed, or misshapen in some other way. Nevertheless, there is no indication that he approached Jesus to seek healing. On the contrary, it appears he had come to the synagogue simply to hear Jesus preach. This is an important distinction. While there were many people coming to Jesus primarily to either receive or witness a miracle, there were others - like this man - who came to hear His teaching.
Like last week’s message, this story takes place on the Sabbath day. In Luke and Mark’s rendition, Jesus doesn’t ask about a sheep falling into a pit but rather asks His accusers whether it is lawful to do good or evil on the Sabbath, to save a life or kill it? In essence, this is the same question. If you see someone or something in peril you must act - regardless of what day it is. By doing nothing you are tacitly doing evil by neglecting to help. God’s people should not withhold good from those to whom it is due when it is in their power to do so, even on the Sabbath day (Proverbs 3:27).
II. STRETCH OUT YOUR HAND (Matthew 12:13-14; Mark 3:5-6; Luke 6:10-11)
Jesus knew that His adversaries were looking for a reason to accuse Him. He was grieved by the hardness of their hearts. Nevertheless, he asked the man with the withered hand to step forward and said, “Stretch out your hand!” Immediately it was restored to normal like the other and he stretched it out. The Pharisees and Herodians present were furious and went out to counsel together against Jesus, discussing how they might destroy Him.
This passage provides another example of Jesus’ omniscience. As we’ve already discussed in this series, He knows what we are thinking. Also notice that He didn’t feel anger toward the Pharisees, but rather sorrow over their hard-heartedness. Beloved, Jesus isn’t mad at you because of your sin. Rather, He is saddened by it and longs for you to repent and receive forgiveness. Jesus loved these Pharisees and He loves you too, no matter who you are or what you’ve done.
This can be categorized as another healing miracle. Jesus spoke and the man’s hand was restored, allowing him to stretch it out. In this instance, the man didn’t ask Jesus to be healed. Rather, Jesus healed him to enhance His teaching and answer His own question about doing good on the Sabbath day. In so doing, He demonstrated His compassion for people while revealing His identity as the divine Son of God.
III. DO NOT TELL (Matthew 12:15-21; Mark 3:7-12)
Jesus left the synagogue and withdrew to the Sea of Galilee. A large crowd made up of people from Galilee and several surrounding regions followed Him. Among them were several Gentiles. Jesus had the disciples prepare a boat in the event He needed to escape the pressing crowd. He healed many people and cast out several demons, warning them all to remain silent and not make His identity known.
In Matthew’s gospel, this occasion is cited as a fulfillment of prophecy. Isaiah 42:1-4 speaks of the Suffering Servant who would show compassion, humility, and meekness while also bringing justice to the Gentiles. Matthew uses this instance to show that Jesus is, in fact, this Suffering Servant - the long-awaited Messiah.
This episode describes several miracles which include both healings and exorcisms. Although the Scriptures say (in Mark’s account) that the people were clamoring to touch Him, it remains uncertain exactly what method(s) Jesus used to heal them. Were they healed just by touching Him? The text doesn't say. Jesus did urge those He healed to keep quiet and warned the demons He cast out to remain silent, so He clearly wasn’t seeking attention. His ultimate goal was that the people might recognize Him as the Son of God and believe Him for the forgiveness of their sins.
CONCLUSION
Jesus’ enemies frequently tried to paint Him as a law breaker, particularly when it came to violating the Sabbath. Jesus performed at least 7 miracles on the Sabbath day, including the aforementioned restoration of a man’s withered hand. Jesus kept the Sabbath as the LORD intended it, but did not submit to the perverted excesses of the Law added by the Pharisees. God’s work continues even on the Sabbath day and it is not a sin to do good on the Sabbath.
This is a lesser point, but it jumps out to me… so indulge me if you would. Jesus emphatically declared that “a man is more valuable than a sheep.” Friends, human life and human interests take precedent over animals. The animals were created for mankind’s use and benefit. I am not saying that people should be cruel to animals or mistreat them. In fact, all of God’s creation should be cared for and respected. But, if it comes down to choosing between the well being of people or animals, people win. Men and women are the crowning piece of God’s creation and are more precious in His sight than anything else.
I find it refreshing to read about someone coming to Jesus who is not seeking a miracle or something for himself, but instead just wants to hear Jesus preach the gospel. Beloved, there is nothing wrong with asking Jesus to do a miracle in your life, but when that’s all you seek Him for something is very wrong. Jesus is asking something of us - a lifetime of wholehearted love, devotion, obedience, and service. Following Jesus is costly, but it is so worth it! Will you commit your life to Him today?
Looking ahead, next Sunday we will cover 2 more miraculous stories on our lengthy list of “The Miracles of Jesus”. We’ll discuss several healings before a sermon in Galilee and the healing of a centurion's slave. I hope you will join us then for this exciting message. May God bless you!