What a strange , legalistic, and impersonal world. The Pharisees were far more concerned about rules than people. Here was a man whose hand was "withered," which means nerve damage and atrophy--a result of what, we don't know. Regardless, he was missing the use of his hand in a day and age when manual labor was necessary to provide for oneself, not to mention a family.

In short, his need was great. And obvious to onlookers.

Yet the religious leaders saw past him to Jesus--the object of their chagrin, This poor deformed man who had a name, a story, fear about the future, and probably hunger pain was just a pawn and a potential opportunity to trap the man derailing their world.

And Jesus was derailing their world. Instead of waiting with bated breath to hear the Pharisees speak, people were now flocking to the man from Nazareth who continually bent the rules, which made Him far more interesting and accessible to the people than the religious leaders ever were. He was un assuming and meek, yet authoritative and confident. And articulate. All while doing things no one else could do like healing ailments, driving out demons, and refusing to cower in the presence of the powerful.

So people flocked to Him, and He didn't disappoint.

But [Jesus] knew their thoughts, and he said to the man with the withered hands, "come and stand here." And he rose and stood there. And Jesus said to them, "I ask you, is it lawful on the Sabbath of do good or to do harm, to save life or to destroy it?" And after looking around at them all he said to him, "Stretch out your hand," And he did so, and his hand was restored, But [the Pharisees] were filled with fury and they discussed what they might do to Jesus. (Luke 6:8-11)

It's easy to find fault with the Pharisees. They really could be awful, and in a few words Jesus publicly outed them for it. But lest we become just like them in self-righteousness and self-involvement, consider how most of us are like them. Think about the homeless people we avoid making eye contact with as they hold cardboard signs near traffic lights. And the understaffed soup kitchens, under attended mission trips, and underfunded relief organizations.

Let's be honest: Most of the time it's easier to ignore the need. Out hears are in fact calloused from exposure to so much of it; we often don't give needy people a second thought. Sometimes we feel annoyed and even put upon. Another person at another light, we think. How much loose change am I expected to carry? And yes, like the Pharisees, we sometimes feel resentment toward those we accuse of trying to "make us feel guilty".

But like the man with the withered hand, they have names and stores. They have fears about the future and hunger pain, Never mind the possible reasons why their need is great--their need is obvious. And like the Pharisees, we have much to learn from the Nazarene who never turned a blind eye.



PRAYER FOCUS

Thank God He didn't turn His eyes from your need, repent of when you've behaved like a Pharisee, and ask Him for the same heart for the needy as Christ had.

MOVING FORWARD

• Obviously we can't respond to every need, but think of a time you could have but didn't. Why did you turn away? How would you handle it now if you got a second chance?
• Why did Jesus respond to needy people the way He did? What do you think He saw then He looked at them?
• List some ways you could react to obvious need in the future, in addition to giving money. That answer is too easy.