Saturday, March 19 by Linda McClure

Read Mark 3:1-12.

In Mark 3, we are told that Jesus had entered the synagogue on the Sabbath and healed a man who had a withered hand. In these verses, we are told that Jesus is being watched by the Pharisees. He must have known what they were thinking because he turned the tables on them asking, “Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do harm, to save life or to kill”. The Pharisees knew Jesus could heal, but they were more interested in seeing if he would, because if he did, he would be going against the Jewish tradition that said aid could be given to the sick on the Sabbath only when the person’s life was threatened. The Pharisees were certainly aware that a withered hand would not have qualified as being life threatening. If he healed the man, the Pharisees would have a reason to accuse him. However, their plan backfired. They remained silent and either could not or would not answer the questions that Jesus asked them. Jesus healed the man’s withered hand even knowing that doing so would give the Pharisees a reason to plot to destroy him. Not only did he heal this man, but when he and his disciples withdrew to the sea he healed even more people there.

If we were faced with a decision to do what is right even if it goes against our laws and could put us in prison or even worse…would we still do the right thing? Recently the people of Egypt faced such a decision. They had been silent too long, and because of it had endured years of injustices and oppression from the laws imposed by their leaders. They too knew the risks they were taking but still chose to rise up and demand changes be made to create a democracy for their country. The courage it takes to step out and correct an injustice is what God often calls us to do regardless of the risks.

Lord, Please help us to have the courage do what is right even when the risks seem high. Amen.