Notes to the Lord: Glory And Need Meet

Mark 3

[3.1-3] Then he went back in the meeting place where he found a man with a crippled hand. The Pharisees had their eyes on Jesus to see if he would heal him, hoping to catch him in a Sabbath infraction. He said to the man with the crippled hand, “Stand here where we can see you.”

Lord Jesus--This man wasn't perfect and yet he was with God's people on Sabbath.  There were those who thought that he must have sinned or possibly even his parent to be born crippled. So he came to synagogue but he would sit in the corners out of sight.  What did he get from that room full of judgmental people?  He heard your word and ultimately found you there on this Sabbath day.

For the religious elite, this man was not an individual with a need.  He was a pawn to be used against this new rabbi who would not toe the party line about Sabbath observance. His pain, his life and his spiritual struggle was not something that interested them.  To you Lord Jesus, this man was an individual with hopes, and dreams that a hand that was almost useless did not help.  This man in the shadows of synagogue was a person in whom the glory of God could be revealed.  I wonder if a part of the reason for his need was to meet you that day?

 [3.4] Then he spoke to the people: “What kind of action suits the Sabbath best? Doing good or doing evil? Helping people or leaving them helpless?” No one said a word.

Lord Jesus--These are the same kind of questions that get asked every Lord's day to this day.  How do we use this day that you have given us?  From your vantage point helping people is always something that is the right thing to do.

[3.5-6] He looked them in the eye, one after another, angry now, furious at their hard-nosed religion. He said to the man, “Hold out your hand.” He held it out—it was as good as new! The Pharisees got out as fast as they could, sputtering about how they would join forces with Herod’s followers and ruin him.

Lord Jesus--By your example everything is trumped by need.  The need of this person for healing was more important than your personal safety or for that matter being politically correct in the eyes of the religious elite.  Hope and the work of the Spirit of God in this man's life was more important than rules about Sabbath observance.

Where are the places I am missing this lesson Lord Jesus?  Where do I need to allow for the glory of God to break through on a normal day and meet the needs of a person who has an appointment with the Lord Of Glory?  When will I come to the place where needs are seen as opportunities to see you in action...like you were at synagogue that Sabbath?

Peterson, Eugene H. (2006-06-15). The Message Remix 2.0: The Bible In contemporary Language (pp. 1794-1795). NavPress. Kindle Edition.