Withered Hands and Withered Hearts in the House of God

I. The value and necessity of the local church has always been under attack. While I would like to say that today is unique, it has always been the case. What is true of today is that it is viewed as a consumer good. We shop for churches. We covet upgrades like the newest iPhone. We criticize, critique, and find fault. Churches appear on yelp next to restaurants, stores, and plumbers.

II. Wherever we go, whatever we do, we must always remember that, like our Master, we are “marked" men and women. Our actions are watched. We must exercise a holy diligence over all our conduct, that we do nothing to give the enemy cause to accuse. We must avoid even the "appearance of evil."

III. It was the consistent practice of our Savior to be in the synagogue on the Sabbath (Luke 4:16). Though there were many problems with religious leadership in that day, Jesus did not forsake the assembly (Hebrews 10:25). Worship in the house of God must be precious to us because it is precious to Jesus.

IV. Jesus sympathized with the man with the withered hand. He healed him. He dealt with the immediate needs (hunger, healing, …) because He is full of compassion. Note, though, that the Lord did not come first of all to deal with diseases of the body but with sin in the heart. This is seen in His reaction to the hardness in the hearts of the Pharisees.

V. Christians will always be the objects of accusation and wicked plotting. As wicked men sought to do evil to Jesus, so also will they seek to bring down His followers (John 15:18). In this world there will be MANY troubles. However, we rejoice and don’t despair for Jesus has overcome the world (John 16:33).