“And it came to pass also on another sabbath, that he entered into the synagogue and taught: and there was a man whose right hand was withered. And the scribes and Pharisees watched him, whether he would heal on the sabbath day; that they might find an accusation against him.” (Luke 6:6-7 KJV).
On the context of looking through the lens of the “spirit” of the law vs the “letter” of law, we step into these passages about to unfold in a stunning display of religious arrogance and hypocrisy. What a sad story it is, and what a waste of a wonderful opportunity for genuine worship in the presence of the Son of God. But, we see religious folks who have come with the pretense to honor God but then have a totally false agenda: They've come to be critical watchers of someone showing heavenly works. Such a shameful display of religious arrogance! They come as specimens of hypocrisy and sham of religion! Such a missed moment of a great synagogue Sabbath worship in the presence of the Messiah.
The Lord Jesus entered the synagogue to teach, as was His habit of doing, honed in on His mission to save the lost. This day, His focus quickly shifts to a man who had a withered right hand. This highlights this man's major deficiency as the right hand signifies his inability to perform essential activities and work for livelihood, being in an era of manually oriented way of living. The man is in need of healing, and this sets the stage for a confrontation with the religious leaders who came specifically to watch if He would administer healing on Sabbath day. They came to gather reasons to accuse the Lord of breaking their law so to silence Him and the true message from heaven. The same attitude of present day religious enterprises, who reject the truth to protect their possessions.
This serves as reminder for us to break from the clutches of religion and seek the truth in Christ Jesus. It is written: “So the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered the council and said, “What are we to do? For this man performs many signs. If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation.” But one of them, Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said to them, “You know nothing at all. Nor do you understand that it is better for you that one man should die for the people, not that the whole nation should perish.”” (John 11:47-50 ESV).
And I say, AMEN!
Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries
When God says... I say, AMEN! is a provocative reflection of the Lord's holy Word. It intends to challenge every seeker of truth to dig deep into the core of the Word of Life to point every being to Christ Jesus - the author and finisher of our faith, and to draw revelations for change, for nourishment and for strength of every soul.
Partners For Christ Ministries, INC
P. O. Box 773716
Ocala, FL 34477
Touching lives in Cambodia, The Philippines, The Middle East, The USA, and... other countries.
And I say, AMEN!
Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries
When God says... I say, AMEN! is a provocative reflection of the Lord's holy Word. It intends to challenge every seeker of truth to dig deep into the core of the Word of Life to point every being to Christ Jesus - the author and finisher of our faith, and to draw revelations for change, for nourishment and for strength of every soul.
Partners For Christ Ministries, INC
P. O. Box 773716
Ocala, FL 34477
Touching lives in Cambodia, The Philippines, The Middle East, The USA, and... other countries.
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