Will you turn with me to the 6th chapter of St. Luke, Verse 6. “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.
But he knew their thoughts and said to the man which had the withered hand, rise up and stand forth in the midst. And he arose and stood forth. Then said Jesus unto them, I will ask you one thing: Is it lawful on the Sabbath days to do good or to do evil? to save life or destroy it? And looking round about upon them all, He said unto the man, Stretch forth thy hand. And he did so.
And his hand was restored whole as the other. And they were filled with madness; and communed one with another what they might do to Jesus.”
The ministry of Jesus on earth was one of power. He went about everywhere doing good, healing all that were oppressed of the devil. Because His frontal attack was upon Satan’s kingdom, he was subjected to direct attack by His adversary in the person of these religious leaders.
The greatest persecution the true church experiences usually comes through those who also profess to be something religiously. Here was a man who was physically handicapped, not having the use of his right arm.
You would have thought it would have been the desire of the religious people of that day to see one of their brethren delivered from such infirmity, but NO, they attached more importance to the method used, the vessel God used, the time the miracle was performed, etc. , than they did to the need of the man.
Jesus was certainly right when one day he accused the same religious leaders of straining at a gnat and swallowing a camel. I see the same spirit manifested today among those who challenge the divine healing ministry. Certain individuals would take the Bible and try and prove to us that healing was not for us today.
They would cite the many cases that were not healed. They would criticize the evangelist who was endeavoring to try and help deliver men. They would find fault with the methods used, at the same time they disregarded or failed to recognize or refused to admit that some good was being done.
Men have always been traditionalists. They would compel others to work within their prescribed framework or else refuse to recognize any good being done.
Jesus was filled with compassion toward a man who was physically in need. He disregarded the day the need was presented to Him. He did not think it was important to work within the framework or form of the antiquated Jewish traditional system. Jesus was a practical man as well as spiritual. He saw a need and He met it with the best of His ability.
Let us be bold to do good as was Jesus. He went into the places where the people lived. He met man on a common ground. He recognized that all men were created equal by God.
He showed no respect of persons. His work was to preach deliverance to the captives and wherever He found them He did His great work. He was willing to be misunderstood. I wonder sometimes if we are willing to be misunderstood. Jesus chose to suffer afflictions and be misunderstood rather than to enjoy the popular acclaim of the religious leaders of His day.
His ministry was to deliver man and to this ministry He dedicated His life and strength. It was said of Him, “He came to His own, and His own received Him not. But, to as many as received Him, to them gave He the power to become the sons of God.” What was more important anyhow, the keeping of the Sabbath day in traditional style, or the deliverance of this man?
Jesus decided it was more important to work the works of God than to become subservient to the order of men. Ever since the day of Jesus men and women of faith have dared to approach a need in a realistic manner and do what they could about it. Let us seek to emulate them. Look round about you. What do you see? Then in the light of this honest appraisal of the present nee, let us be about our Father’s business. Men today are still needy. They are still hungry, sick and discouraged, and as God spoke to Moses of old, I would speak to you this morning for I feel that is what God would do, and say unto you, “What is that in thy hand?” Moses just had a staff but God told him to use it. Use whatever you have for the glory of God. Whether you are rich or poor, use either one for the glory of God. Are you strong or are you weak? You can still use either one for the glory of God.
Do you have ability or do you feel utterly lacking in this? Use what you have for the glory of God. God will certainly bless whatever you use for His glory. Though you feel you may not have much to meet the needs of men or the demands of this day, little is much, I can assure you, when God is in it.
When you will dare to step out, trusting God to help you meet the needs of men, He certainly will be with you.
May God help us to recognize the man with the withered hand standing before us, lost perhaps in the great multitude that would keep Holy day, but a man who has great need. As you recognize him, dare to command him to stand forth in the midst and then you touch him, you touch him, you bless him.
Regardless of what those around about you may say, regardless of the questionings in the minds of men, you help that man or that woman who was made in the image and in the likeness of God. God will bless you and God will use you and He will speak through you. He will strengthen and help others because you dared to do the work God called you to do. Do good now, Do good whenever there is an opportunity.
Help and deliver and bless. Heed not the voice of those who would tell thee nay. Let us labor faithfully while it is day, “The night cometh when no man can work.”
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