Luke 6:6-11

content/bible_journal/luke_6:6-11.md

@@ -0,0 +1,35 @@
++++
+title = "Luke 6:6–11"
+date = "2022-11-08"
++++
+
+### [Read the passage.](https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Lk6.6-11)
+
+Jesus exposes the hypocrisy of the Pharisees by posing a question to them with
+a practical example. It's possible, since the text says they were watching to
+see if Jesus would heal on the Sabbath, that the scribes and Pharisees had set
+up this situation as a trap in the first place. But Jesus, with a single
+question, reverses it.
+
+A man with a withered hand was at the synogogue where Jesus was teaching on
+this particular day. At some point, Jesus asks the man to stand up before the
+people with Him to be an object lesson. Jesus asks the audience, "Is it lawful
+on the Sabbath to do good or to do harm, to save life or destroy it?" (_v. 9_)
+No one says anything, so Jesus tells the man to stretch his hand out, and it
+becomes healthy.
+
+And the Pharisees are furious at Jesus. They see a miracle performed before
+their very eyes, but their pride deafens them to what Jesus is trying to say to
+them. It is more important for them to _feel_ right than to _be_ right. Notice,
+too, that Jesus did not frame His question as a choice between doing good and
+doing nothing. Failure to do good within your power is evil.
+
+The Pharisees were probably also frustrated that they couldn't even accuse
+Jesus of _doing_ anything on the Sabbath. All He said was, "Stretch out your
+hand." He didn't lay a hand on him or do any obvious work. Jesus navigated the
+trap on multiple levels.
+
+* * *
+
+Help us see the good works we can do in Your Name, and help us have the
+humility and wisdom to accept reproof.