The man with the withered (shriveled) hand…went to worship God on a Sabbath in a synagogue.  This man heard Jesus as He taught from the Scriptures (our Old Testament).  This man saw Jesus look at him and say “Get up and come forward!”  This man did not ask for healing and notice that Jesus never said anything about sin before or after his withered hand was made whole and useful.

  Scribes and Pharisees were watching and listening intently to see if Jesus would heal on the Sabbath.  (Luke 6:6-7)  Jesus also knew their thoughts when He said to the man with the withered hand:
(NASB) Luke 6:8 “…‘Get up and come forward!’  And he got up and came forward.”

Jesus then said to the scribes and Pharisees, “I ask you, is it lawful to do good or to do harm on the Sabbath, to save a life or to destroy it?”  (Luke 6:9)

Jesus is standing in the place of teaching, the man with the withered hand is standing before Him, the scribes and Pharisees and other attendees are watching and listening to the unusual proceedings…what did Jesus do next?
(NASB) Luke 6:10 “After looking around at them all, He said to him, ‘Stretch out your hand!’  And he did so; and his hand was restored.”

Scripture does not state this, but reading carefully, we can “see” at least two purposes which Jesus had in mind:
1. A man was healed.
2. The scribes and Pharisees were given proof that healing on the Sabbath is not against God’s will.

Life is of great value in the eyes of God…He created life!  To give life is to do good on the Sabbath.
The destruction of life is of the devil or Satan, not God!
“I ask you, is it lawful to do good or to do harm on the Sabbath, to save a life or to destroy it?”  (Luke 6:9)

Jesus gave one of many descriptions of Satan during His ministry when He was talking to the Jews.  Jesus said that those who do not believe Him are doing the desires of their father, the devil.  The devil was a murderer from the beginning…he does not stand in the truth of God; there is no truth in him.  He is a liar and speaks from his own nature; he is the father of lies.  (John 8:42-45)

 

To whom are you listening, the devil or the Lord Jesus Christ?

Withered hands can be healed by Jesus and so can withered, shriveled up hearts.

Each of us has areas where we are “shriveled up.”

Come, stand before Jesus and be healed.