Why Are We Watching Jesus?

Illustration Josh Sauerman

Mark 3 begins by showing us a providential moment when God had a man with a need meet Jesus. Mark 3:1 says,

“Again he entered the synagogue,

and a man was there with a withered hand.”

This is no coincidence. The healing would further verify Jesus as the Son of God and meet a personal situation that God cares about.

But before that happened, Verse 2 says,

“And they watched Jesus,

to see whether he would heal him on the Sabbath,

so that they might accuse him.”

Can you imagine? The Abide in Him study A Focus On Christ Through The Book Of Matthew has a theme of observing Jesus to learn from Him. That’s not what’s happening here. Many hate what Jesus stands for; they hate His ways.

The good news is that while this ever present attitude is rebellious and driven by Satan, individuals, by the work of the Holy Spirit, can turn through repentance to receive salvation and come to love Christ and His ways!

Jesus told the man, “Come here.” Then He asked the hopeful accusers, “Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do harm, to save life or to kill?” They wouldn’t answer. They wouldn’t engage. They had one agenda, and it wasn’t truth.

Their hardness of heart angered and grieved Jesus. He proceeded to heal the man. Many are hostile toward those who fight for life and health if it crosses with their own agenda and preferences. They are like these Pharisees who rather than being happy for the man and appreciative of Jesus, immediately met with others about how to destroy Him.

The intent with which we watch Jesus matters. We will joyfully bow the knee to the Gospel and love Him, or resist the Gospel and critique Him. Lord, cause our hearts to be right toward You!