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Working on the Sabbath


     Another time he went into the synagogue, and a man with a shriveled hand was there. Some of them were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, so they watched him closely to see if he would heal him on the Sabbath. Jesus said to the man with the shriveled hand, “Stand up in front of everyone."
            Then Jesus asked them, “Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?” But they remained silent.
            He looked around at them in anger and, deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts, said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was completely restored. Then the Pharisees went out and began to plot with the Herodians how they might kill Jesus. (Mark 3:1-6)
          This isn't the only time Jesus healed on a Sabbath. According to the Law, everyone in society was responsible to address violations of the law. The Pharisees  seem to have taken on the role of consciences of society. It was their job to confront sinners and to direct the rest of society as to when, where and how they were to live in accordance with the Law. They had gone to the synagogue specifically to catch Jesus in a violation of the Law or blaspheme. They had gone to the synagogue... to do their job... on a Sabbath.
          Jesus asked them which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil? If it is wrong to do good, then by withholding good wasn't it necessary to do evil? If it was wrong to do evil, then wasn't the only way to avoid doing evil to do good? If a life couldn't be saved, then wasn't it necessary to kill? If it was wrong to kill, is it not necessary to save a life? To answer Jesus' question correctly, the Pharisees would have to say that Jesus was right to heal the man. Instead, they remained silent.
          Jesus told the man to stretch out his hand. It was completely restored. The Pharisees went out and plotted with the Herodians how they might kill Jesus. Quiz time. Who worked on the Sabbath? Who didn't?
    Bonus point question: Who is it today who tries to dictate when, where and how people practice their faith? What can we learn from Jesus' response?
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On the Calendar:
Fort Ticonderoga Day
Golden Spike Day

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