Is it lawful?

Then Jesus said to them, "I ask you, is it lawful to do good or to do harm on the sabbath, to save life or to destroy it?" After looking around at all of them, he said to him, "Stretch out your hand." He did so, and his hand was restored. But they were filled with fury and discussed with one another what they might do to Jesus. Luke 6:9-11

The man had perhaps been born with a withered right hand. The right hand was the hand of honor. Think about who got to sit at the right hand of a king – or the right hand of God. A king showed favor with his right hand. The right hand symbolized strength and agreement. The man would even have had problems washing and cleansing his hands to fulfill his religious duties- or shaking on a deal.

His had not been a life of ease and Jesus responded. He set up a test as well. He spoke not only to the man but also to the crowd in the synagogue Is it better to do good or harm on the Sabbath? Is it better to save life or destroy it? Then he asked the man, with all the Pharisees and scribes watching, to put out his hand. This withered hand that brought him shame he now had to reveal to the crowd and to Jesus.

Rage was boiling around him. The religious leaders saw the test as well – the challenge to their way of thinking. The religious leaders were intimidating. Where would he look? Who would he follow.

He stretched. He extended his hand and it was healed. He looked at Jesus and his life was saved. He obeyed and good was done.

Where’s your focus? On Jesus or on rules? On life or on tradition? On needs or on institutions?

Jesus said to him, ‘Stretch…’