They Followed Him to Fault Him
Have you ever felt like people were waiting for you to make a mistake so they could jump on it? It’s the cause of such pressure and stress. You want to come to your defense and prove them wrong immediately. It’s important to remember that if someone is determined to misunderstand you, trying to change their mind is a waste of time. Jesus often dealt with this with the Pharisees, but we see it in Luke 6. The way He handled His accusers, the questions He asked, and the steps he took brilliantly revealed their motives. It did one more thing: it gave them a choice to see God and change their life or solidify their choices. Unfortunately, they did the latter.
“It also happened on another Sabbath that he entered into the synagogue and taught. There was a man there, and his right hand was withered. The scribes and the Pharisees watched him, to see whether he would heal on the Sabbath, that they might find an accusation against him. Luke 6:6-7
Question or Confrontation?
Crowds followed Jesus and were saved, healed, forgiven, and changed. Yet the Pharisees who followed Jesus to find fault didn’t receive any blessings. We can’t receive blessings from God when we are bent on faulting Him. Jesus was going to heal on the Sabbath. He didn’t shy away; He openly called the man who needed healing to the front of the congregation. He then asked a pointed question. Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath or do harm? The question was a confrontation. The Pharisees were bent on destroying Him by falsely accusing Him in their house of God. Jesus’ question was also a gracious opportunity. If any of them had turned from wanting to do Him wrong, He would have forgiven them. However, it solidified their decision to work toward His destruction.
“But he knew their thoughts; and he said to the man who had the withered hand, “Rise up and stand in the middle.”He arose and stood. Then Jesus said to them, “I will ask you something: Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good, or to do harm? To save a life, or to kill?” Luke 6:8-9
A Touchless Miracle
Though Jesus laid hands on a leper to heal him, Jesus didn’t lay hands on this man in the synagogue on the Sabbath. He told him to stretch out his hand. The man in faith stretched out his hand and was healed. In this, no one could accuse Jesus of lifting a finger to heal. This very act automatically transferred the battlefield from the physical to the spiritual. Instead of being awed that God performed a miracle, they were filled with rage. They chose to follow their intent of harming Him. That was against the rules of the Sabbath. The spirit of God did the healing, but their hate and intent on justifying their narrative with accusations missed it.
“He looked around at them all, and said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He did, and his hand was restored as sound as the other. But they were filled with rage, and talked with one another about what they might do to Jesus. Luke 6:10-11
Can You Relate?
Are you dealing with people trying to pigeonhole you into a narrative that will justify their hate? Jesus understands. If you have ever had this happen, it is traumatic. If you have experienced trauma from someone doing you wrong, the pain is enhanced by knowing it was intentional. If you have had this happen and are thinking about it or are dealing with it now, Jesus gets it. So, let’s pray.
Prayer
Lord, we come before You with gratefulness that Your earthly experiences were written so we can read them today. Thank You for showing me that You understand our pain. Today, I lift my hurt and pain at the wrong people have done me. Jesus, as You did from the cross, I choose to forgive them. Each time the thoughts about this come back to me, I will quickly lift them to You. Release me from this pain from their sin towards me as I release them now. I ask God that you heal me and give me wisdom, as if You have to react in the wise and right way. Help me to be as wise as a serpent and innocent as a dove. I love you, Lord, in Jesus’ name.
