Mark 3:1-12 Jesus Provokes Controversy

As we continue through Mark's fast-paced gospel, Jesus is once again confronted by the Jewish leaders. This time, Jesus performs a miracle and heals a man in the synagogue. Why? Is he simply trying to be confrontational? Additionally, we see that as his ministry continued, the number of people who followed him continued to grow. But were they following just a healer? Or were they following Him because He is the Christ?