And he entered again into the synagogue; and there was a man there which had a withered hand. And they watched him, whether he would heal him on the sabbath day; that they might accuse him. And he saith unto the man which had the withered hand, Stand forth. Mark 3:1-3

The religious leaders once again are looking to trap Jesus, to try and charge him with any crime, so they could get rid of him. The religious leaders decided to use the Sabbath as their trap, as mentioned previously the Sabbath was abused by Israel as a yoke to burden the people rather than to free them as intended by God

There was a man with a withered hand and they wanted to see if Jesus would heal him. This was their trap, if Jesus heals the man he is “breaking the Sabbath” , anyone can realize that healing someone is not morally wrong it’s actually a blessing. Why would the religious leaders take a healing from God and make it a sin? It displays the wickedness of their hearts, it displays the arrogant pride of the religious leaders.

Jesus, who is Lord of The Sabbath (Mark 2) told the man to stand up. Jesus knew exactly what was in the hearts and minds of the religious leaders and was going to demonstrate true justice. Jesus is going to demonstrate, that not only does he have the power to heal, but he is also Lord of The Sabbath

And he saith unto them, Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath days, or to do evil? to save life, or to kill? But they held their peace. 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. And he stretched it out: and his hand was restored whole as the other. Mark 3:4-5

Jesus called them out, asking them a simple question, “Is it lawful to do good or evil on the Sabbath” Common sense will tell you, you should do good on the Sabbath, such as healing, but these wicked religious leaders were blinded by their own pride. It says “They held their peace” meaning they couldn’t respond to Jesus because they knew they were hypocrites.

Jesus grieved at the hardness of their hearts, notice Jesus still loved these men but he mourned their wickedness. They claimed to love God and be teachers of The Law, yet had no love in their hearts. 

Christ healed the man right before everyone, he made him whole. But their was no rejoicing or joy coming from the religious leaders, their legalism has cut them off from God. They made themselves Lords of the Sabbath however there is only one Lord and it’s Jesus Christ

And the Pharisees went forth, and straightway took counsel with the Herodians against him, how they might destroy him. Mark 3:6

Did witnessing this miracle change anyone? No the Pharisees and Herodians came together to try and plot to kill Jesus instead. People ask for signs and wonders, these religious leaders experienced it and still rejected Christ

Jesus is Lord of The Sabbath, as Jesus is Lord over everything. Jesus is our Rest and our salvation Amen!