Mercy is Personal

Matthew 12:13-14 Then he said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” So he stretched it out, and his arm was completely restored, just as sound as the other. 14 But the Pharisees went out and plotted how they might kill Jesus.

WE consider the man’s painful, shriveled arm. It hangs uselessly at his side. He’s embarrassed to have such an outward sign of disability. Some people might have judged his sins or his parents’ sins caused his deformed arm. (See John 9.)

Then Jesus stepped into his life. It’s the Sabbath. The man is where he should be to learn of God’s law, the Psalms and the prophets. Jesus is also where he is ordained to be to fulfill his very personal mission, “to seek and to save the lost”. (Luke 19:10b)

With a simple instruction, “Stretch out your hand.” Jesus healed the man’s hand. Rejoice!

But the rule-centered Pharisees’ response is to plot how they might kill Jesus.

This is the sum of the conflict between God’s mercy and human rebellion. The Bible reveals God repeatedly offering blessing and bounty. He’s offering Himself to his people. But the Bible also exposes mankind’s stone-hearted rebellion.

The Pharisees’ response to Jesus’ healing illustrates that rebellion. They reject God’s commands they believe they are protecting. Consider this: These men, who accused Jesus of breaking the law by healing on the Sabbath, then met to determine how to kill the Healer! “Don’t heal on the Sabbath! But let’s plan to kill.”

Had they no concern for the crippled man created in God’s holy image? Apparently they forgot the law that commands Israel to love one another. Where’s their mercy to treat others as you want them to treat you? Where is their understanding of God, who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases. (Psalm 103:3)

Forcefully the rulers protected their self-righteousness, and they could not see the Righteous One, miraculously working in their midst.

What do we learn here? Let’s set our minds to God’s mercy. Consider asking the LORD God, “Can I be your instrument to bring comfort, encouragement, and healing through prayer? Help me, Lord, to help people know your mercy is very personal.”

Jesus Teaches: Like the healed man, we are called to respond to God's gracious invitation. Mercy calls us to choose life, trust God's voice, and hold fast to Him. Deuteronomy 30:19-20a Now choose life, so that you and your children may live 20 and that you may love the LORD your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the LORD is your life.