The Great Debate Between Good and Evil

By Mary Vee
Matthew 12, Mark 3, Luke 6

From Matthew's Journal 

Photo by Mary Vee
Jerusalem

My name is Matthew. I am a disciple of Jesus. I am here with other disciples, so they may add something today. 

We've been talking about the crazy things that have happened on the Sabbath at the temple. Most resulted in a dual of words between the Jewish leaders and Jesus.

Another Sabbath came along and sure enough the Jewish leaders and Pharisees searched for Jesus looking for another fight. 

Inside the temple was a man whose right hand was shriveled and useless. 

The Jewish leaders knew the man was there and weren't very quiet about their plan. They were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus of what they felt was sin. They huddled in groups and watched Him closely to see if he would heal the man on the Sabbath. When Jesus neared the man, one of them stopped him and said, "Jesus, is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?"

Now anyone listening would know the tone of the Jewish leader's voice. He was not asking. He was trying to trap Jesus. As if they could. So the other disciples and I stayed close, too knowing Jesus would have the perfect answer to prove the Jewish leaders wrong.

Jesus said, "Say any one of you had a sheep and it fell into a pit on the Sabbath, wouldn't you lift it out and set it safely on the ground?" He paused. None of them answered. Jesus then said, "How much more valuable is a man than a sheep! So, it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath."

Jesus turned to the man with the shriveled hand and said, "Stand up. Turn and face all of these people. Let them see you."

The man did as Jesus asked. 

As he stood there, Jesus turned to the Jewish leaders and Pharisees and said, "Which is lawful to do on the Sabbath: good or evil? To save a life or to kill?" 

Again they said nothing. Really? They stroke their beards and looked at each other, waiting, and clearly hoping Jesus would say something they could accuse him of. Unbelievable.

Jesus looked at the group of leaders, eyeing each one. He was angry and very distressed at their stubborn hold to rules, and to their complete lack of compassion, the very compassion they expected from God.

He turned away from them and faced the man with the withered hand. He said, "Stretch out your hand."

The man did as Jesus asked. And at the second the man's arm was fully stretched, his hand was healed. Completely!

The Jewish leaders stepped forward and looked at the healed hand. Their faces scrunched into anger. They huddled and discussed what they thought. Their words were not kind. They were talking about ways they could get rid of Jesus.

After a few minutes, the Pharisees stormed out, looking for Herodian officials, and hoping to get help in planning a way to kill Jesus.

So, the Jewish leaders couldn't think of anything to answer Jesus' questions. They knew they were in the wrong, but they couldn't handle what might happen if they admitted they were wrong. They would have to change their thinking. They would have to understand people would want to listen and follow Jesus. They would have to be compassionate.

Their way of doing things would change....and they didn't want to do that. 


I'll tell you more about that next time.

Come back to read the next story.

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sources: 
*A Harmony of the Gospels for Historical Study, An Analytical Synopsis of the Four Gospels by William Arnold Stevens and Ernest DeWitt Burton, Charles Scribner's Sons, New York 1932
*New International Version, New King James Version. 
*My Bible College training.
*My notes and walk through classes I've taught in Children's church. Answers to student questions, etc.
*Pastoral sermons on this time
*Matthew Henry Commentary
*F. LaGard Smith Commentary
*My notes from my trip to Israel.