Then saith he to the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it forth; and it was restored whole, like as the other.
This miracle is when Jesus healed a man with a withered hand; restored it whole. It happened on the sabbath in a synagogue. Below is the account found in Matthew. You can also find it in Mark 3:1-6 and Luke 6:6-11. I encourage you to read all the accounts. There are so many questions that these passages bring up it’s not even funny. So I have to hone in and concentrate on a single aspect if we are to get anywhere. So I may not go down the route that you anticipate. But I do have to go down a route.
(Matthew 12:9-14) And when he was departed thence, he went into their synagogue: 10 And, behold, there was a man which had his hand withered. And they asked him, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath days? that they might accuse him. 11 And he said unto them, 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? 12 How much then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days. 13 Then saith he to the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it forth; and it was restored whole, like as the other. 14 Then the Pharisees went out, and held a council against him, how they might destroy him.
This whole encounter in the synagogue with this man with the withered hand, I must admit, seems to have little to do with the man. Jesus deals mostly with the Pharisees in this miracle. If you read around the text, you’ll see that these Pharisees are following Jesus around questioning everything about him. And this passage is the end of all this questioning. Apparently, the Pharisees were done asking questions and had made their mind up; for the bible says that (Matthew 12:14) Then the Pharisees went out, and held a council against him, how they might destroy him. The bible says (Luke 6:11) And they were filled with madness; and communed one with another what they might do to Jesus.
Everything about Jesus, the Pharisees questioned. Jesus forgave the sins of that who was sick of the palsy. And they asked (Mark 2:7) Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? And Jesus proves he has power on earth to forgive sins by healing the sick man. Then Jesus calls Levi (Matthew) to follow him and he dines with him and other publicans and sinners. And the Pharisees ask (Mark 2:16) How is it that he eateth and drinketh with publicans and sinners? Not only did they have a problem with who Jesus ate with, they didn’t even like that he was eating. (Mark 2:18) Why do the disciples of John and of the Pharisees fast, but thy disciples fast not? Jesus just couldn’t eat in peace. Then on the sabbath, Jesus and disciples plucked some corn and ate, and Jesus was questioned again. (Mark 2:24) Why do they on the sabbath day that which is not lawful? Jesus then questions them about David and when he ate the shewbread of the temple. And he says this: (Mark 2:27-28) The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath: 28 Therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath. In Matthew he says (Matthew 12:6-8) That in this place is one greater than the temple. 7 But if ye had known what this meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless. 8 For the Son of man is Lord even of the sabbath day.
So it’s in the context of this sabbath issue that Jesus goes into the synagogue on the sabbath and heals this man with the withered hand, apparently in response to these questions regarding the sabbath. They were watching him. They were ready to accuse him. Jesus knew it. He deliberately performed this miracle for them to witness. I like the way Luke puts it (Luke 6:6) He entered into the synagogue and taught. Jesus sure could teach a lesson. He wasn’t afraid to answer his accusers. He could turn the tables around and accuse the accusers; question the questioners. Amen!
Now, when they first started asking questions, when Jesus forgave the sins of the man sick of the palsy, we saw compassion on Jesus’ part, even for the Pharisees. We saw reasonableness, patience, and effort in that Jesus worked with them and tried to prove to them who he was. But this time, being the straw that broke the camel’s back, it was different. In Mark’s account we find that (Mark 3:5) When he had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, he saith unto the man, Stretch forth thine hand. It seems Jesus had enough.
Okay, here’s the lesson for today. There some people out there that will never be satisfied with your answer concerning the things of God. They’ll ask question after question after question, not because they’re curious, but because they’re trying to accuse you. Or they’ll doubt and question everything about your manner of life, what the man of God does, or what the church does. And did you notice in Mark, when they questioned Jesus’ company, they didn’t ask Jesus? They asked his disciples. Instead of questioning Jesus directly, they tried to spread their poison to his disciples. Now I understand genuine curiosity and and an eagerness to learn. But there is a difference.
So like Jesus our captain, we ought to have some wit about us when answering questions. The bible says, (1 Peter 3:15) Be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear. Paul speaks about the qualifications of a bishop, but I think this is good advice for any child of God. (Titus 1:9) Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers. We ought to (1 Timothy 5:17) Labour in the word and doctrine.
But at the same time, we ought to know when enough is enough. Jesus also said (Matthew 7:6) Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you. So appropriately, there is (Ecclesiastes 3:7) a time to keep silence, and a time to speak. The bible says (Proverbs 9:7) He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame: and he that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot. There are better things to do that arguing with fools. (Proverbs 14:7) Go from the presence of a foolish man, when thou perceivest not in him the lips of knowledge.
So when Jesus had enough, what did he do? (Mark 3:5) And when he had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, he saith unto the man, Stretch forth thine hand. In Matthew he declares (Matthew 12:12) Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days. This reminds me of Roger Williams (who by all means gave us separation of church and state). He was questioned and accused all his life and even banished, and what did he do? He went and preached the gospel to the Indians. He got away from that crowd and did well.
The bible has much to say about doing well. Paul admonished us (Galatians 6:9) And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. And again in (2 Thesselonians 3:13) But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing. I’m ashamed to say and I’ll be the first to admit, I’ve got a long way until I’m in danger of that. I was reading through 1st and 2nd Timothy and Titus and was taken at how much Paul had to say about good works. So let me just list some of this.
(Matthew 5:16) Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
(Acts 9:36) Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did.
(Ephesians 2:10) For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
(1 Timothy 2:9-10) In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; 10 But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.
(1 Timothy 5:9-10) Let not a widow be taken into the number under threescore years old, having been the wife of one man, 10 Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints’ feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work.
(1 Timothy 5:25) Likewise also the good works of some are manifest beforehand; and they that are otherwise cannot be hid.
(1 Timothy 6:18) That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;
(2 Timothy 3:16-17) All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
(Titus 2:7-8) In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, 8 Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.
(Titus 2:14) Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
(Titus 3:8) This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.
(Titus 3:14) And let ours also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful.
(Hebrews 10:24) And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
(James 3:13) Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.
(1 Peter 2:12) Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.
Let’s get to work! Amen? This goes really well with what I was looking at in (Proverbs 10:19) In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise. We need a little less talk and a lot more action!