We are making our way through the Gospel of Mark on Wednesday nights in our chapel Bible study. It is a formative study in which we are looking directly at what was and is important to Jesus as witnessed by his followers. So often we read what others have said and thought about what Jesus said – and that is a good thing to do – but it is always important and refreshing to read what Jesus actually said.
Last night we took a close look at Jesus’ lesson on the importance of the Sabbath and the fact that the Sabbath was created for us and not the other way around. Jesus took several opportunities to teach this lesson to people who did not want to hear it. We will be talking about Sabbath this Sunday morning.
But this morning, what is fresh on my mind is something we see in Mark 3:5. As Jesus was preparing to heal a man with a withered hand, he was confronted with the disapproval of the Pharisees that were in the synagogue. Those who were against the healing never said a word but Jesus saw it in their faces and based on previous experience, he knew what they were thinking. They were caught up in keeping the law to the point they had lost sight of the intent behind the law.
The description of Jesus’ approach should not be glossed over. The text says Jesus was “angry” and “deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts.” I have not been able to shake that sentence in 3:5. What I see here is that stubborn, unwilling hearts do not please Jesus. Now it is easy to look at the description of the teachers of the law and the Pharisees and cast judgement – to look down on them as ignorant and think to ourselves, “How could they have been so blind!” But before we rush to judgement, how pliable are our hearts?
Am I ever guilty of stubbornness or being closed-minded? Are you?
We learn many things about Jesus and what is important to him in this story. He had compassion on the hurting. He wanted to guide people into a better understanding of God and God’s desires for us. He used common everyday opportunities to teach. But don’t miss the fact that we also learn that Jesus had little patience for those who were not willing to be taught.
May our hearts be teachable today!
We talk a lot about praising God. In any given church around the world on the weekends, you most likely will encounter an effort to praise God.
And our Recreation Minister has orchestrated an invitation for me to throw out the first pitch. Do you know how long it has been since I threw a baseball – let alone 60 plus feet in front of thousands of people. To answer the first half of that question – a very long time. To answer the second half of that question – NEVER.
And we are off! 20 people from our church are on the way to Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. We will be working with churches and schools in and around that city serving in a multitude of ways from construction to Vacation Bible Schools and sports camps to sewing projects and school teacher training.
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We wrap up Vacation Bible School today. It has been a wonderful week full of activity, laughter and showing the love of Christ to children. I am so blessed to be part of a family of believers that values the spiritual progression of kids!
Clay in the Hands 