Challenge of Opposition

May 9th
Speaker: David Fritz
Text: Mark 3:1-6 ​1  He entered again into a synagogue; and a man was there whose hand was withered. 2  They were watching Him to see if He would heal him on the Sabbath, so that they might accuse Him. 3  He *said to the man with the withered hand, "Get up and come forward!" 4  And He *said to them, "Is it lawful to do good or to do harm on the Sabbath, to save a life or to kill?" But they kept silent. 5  After looking around at them with anger, grieved at their hardness of heart, He *said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." And he stretched it out, and his hand was restored. 6  The Pharisees went out and immediately began conspiring with the Herodians against Him, as to how they might destroy Him. 

Scripture:
Hebrews 12:3 - For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

Titus 2:7-8 -  7 in all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds, with purity in doctrine, dignified, 8 sound in speech which is beyond reproach, so that the opponent will be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us.

Matthew 5:10-12 - 10 “Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.  11 “Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

John 16:33 - These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”

Ephesians 6: 10-13 - 10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against [e]flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.

ESV Commentary:
Mark 1:16–8:26 Demonstration of Jesus’ Authority. The first half of Mark’s Gospel is dedicated to the demonstration of Jesus’ authority over sickness, laws of nature, and the demonic world. He also calls, appoints, and sends out his disciples while regularly teaching in a unique and authoritative way.

Mark 1:16–3:12 Jesus’ Early Galilean Ministry. The call of the disciples is intertwined with narrative descriptions of Jesus’ authority over demons and sickness, as well as with authoritative teaching (see note on Matt. 4:12–25).

Mark 3:2 The scribes believe that healing is a form of work and is thus not permitted on a Sabbath. Accuse (Gk. katēgoreō, “accuse, bring charges”) is a technical term: they seek to mount a legal case against Jesus by collecting evidence against him.

Mark 3:3–5 Jesus is not intimidated by his opponents; he makes the Sabbath healing (cf. v. 2) an intentionally public incident. they were silent. The silence of the opponents displays their hardness of heart, and Jesus’ anger shows that his question, “Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do harm … ?” should have been answered: “to do good.” This would not violate the OT law, but it would violate the opponents’ extrabiblical, mostly Pharisaic tradition. Their tradition misses the point of the Mosaic law: to love God and one’s neighbor (cf. 12:29–31). Stretch out your hand. See note on Luke 6:10.

Mark 3:6 The Pharisees were quite different from the Herodians (supporters and associates of Herod Antipas of Galilee and the Herodian family dynasty; see note on Matt. 22:16). However, these two groups held counsel together (cf. Ps. 2:2) in order to destroy their common enemy, Jesus (Mark 14:1–2).