Morning Manna | Mark 3:1-6 | What did you get from Church?

Mark 3:1–6

And he entered again into the synagogue; and there was a man there which had a withered hand. 2 And they watched him, whether he would heal him on the sabbath day; that they might accuse him. 3 And he saith unto the man which had the withered hand, Stand forth. 4 And he saith unto them, Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath days, or to do evil? to save life, or to kill? But they held their peace. 5 And when he had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, he saith unto the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it out: and his hand was restored whole as the other. 6 And the Pharisees went forth, and straightway took counsel with the Herodians against him, how they might destroy him.

One part of this story is wonderful—miraculous, edifying, and glorifying. The other part is malicious and filled with schemes. I imagine the man with the withered hand left with joy in his heart, his spirit lifted and his life changed. Yet the Pharisees walked away with envy and retribution brewing in their hearts.

This reminds me of many church services we’ve been part of.

While Christ is present in the church, virtue flows from Him—helping and healing those with broken hearts, redeeming lost souls, and untangling the web of lies Satan has spun—there are still some among us, like the Pharisees, whose hearts are not truly with us. They’re there to watch, not worship; to find something to criticize, entrap, or report. While many go home filled with joy and peace, some go home filled with irritation and bitterness. It was so in Christ’s day, and it’s still so today.

Some people leave church talking about how much help they received from the sermon or how God worked in some “withered” area of their life. Others leave talking about something that rubbed them the wrong way—maybe someone didn’t shake their hand, or a comment was misunderstood and exaggerated into something it was never meant to be.

It seems to me that you get what you come looking for(Luke 6:45). If you show up looking to be offended, you’ll find it. But if you come with your ailments, seeking the Master, you just might find Him—and leave changed. One man left better than he came. The others left worse—more hardened, more bitter, more resolute in their opposition.

This is the nature of God’s Word and work in our lives: it either saves or it condemns, softens or hardens. And if you’re not being softened by it, you’re becoming more obstinate. Don’t fool yourself—there is no neutral position with God. Only positive or negative. Saved or lost. Hot or cold. When we come before Christ, we all leave changed—but some for the better, and others for the worse.

Lastly, Christ had a word for both groups. He had piercing questions for those with evil hearts, and enabling commands for those in need. When we gather before Christ, He has something to say to everyone. Some He questions—not based on their words, but their intentions. He sees beyond the clothes we wear and the smiles we force. He looks past the polite conversations that cloak our true motives and gets right to the heart.

He asked the Pharisees about the very law they were trying to use against Him—and in doing so, revealed they were already breaking it. While we aren’t told much about the man with the withered hand’s heart, I believe we can see faith in his response. Jesus told him to stand, and he stood. Then He gave an impossible command: “Stretch forth thy hand.” Experience had taught this man that such a thing was impossible—but by faith he obeyed. And in that obedience, he found the enabling power of God.

Christ saw the hearts of everyone in the synagogue that day, and He responded accordingly. He still does.

Evil hearts are rebuked—though sadly, often to no avail. Faith-filled hearts are commanded and enabled to do the miraculous.

So, I wonder—how did you leave church yesterday?