Do you like being put on the spot with a challenging question? How do you answer a question that will expose your negative attitude? How have you heard others answer such questions? Did you marvel at their answer or loath their answer?
Being put on the spot to answer a challenging question can expose our hardened heart. We may decide not to answer the question at all. We may storm out of the room. Having your negative attitude exposed before a group of people can be embarrassing.
Traditions can be both good and bad. Generally speaking, traditions are often started with good intentions and based on sound principles. Yet, when the sound principles and the original reasons are forgotten, they can become onerous and bad. This is what Jesus was pointing out to the Jewish religious leaders on a sabbath.
A man who had a shriveled hand, one that was useless, came into the synagogue (think church). It is very likely they were in the middle of a worship service. Jesus stops the service to bring the man forward. The leaders are appalled! There was a traditional rule against working on the sabbath. Going against the tradition, Jesus heals the man. The leaders are now outraged.
Jesus challenges them with an exposing question before healing the man. They refuse to answer, remaining silent. As soon as Jesus heals the man, the leaders storm out of the synagogue and plot to kill Him. Jesus knew their hearts and He knows ours. He often asks us the same question. Is it right to do good or do harm? How are we going to react to His question?
We face that question many times. Unfortunately, we react the same way the Jewish religious leaders did more than we should. The subject may not be healing a man with a shriveled hand, but the question is the same. Will we do good or do harm? The next time that question is asked of us, we might remember how Jesus answered His own question.
I pray we all think about the question Jesus asks us. I pray we remember how He answered His own question. I pray each one of us will choose to do good rather than to do harm. Be prepared to answer Jesus’ question. Choose to do good. Choose principle over tradition. Choose to follow Jesus.
Mark 3:4 Then he said to them, “Is it lawful to do good or to do harm on the sabbath, to save life or to kill?” But they were silent.
Marty Pressey 