MAD AT THE MIRACLE WORKER

January 17

Bible Reading: Matthew 12

The Pharisees of Jesus’ day lived according to an extensive set of rules.  This was nowhere more evident than in their religious efforts associated with keeping of the Sabbath, as Alfred Edersheim explained in his book, “The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah,”: “On no other subject is Rabbinic teaching more minute and more manifestly incongruous to its professed object.”  There were laws that dealt with how far a person could travel, how much weight a person could lift, and what could and could not be done to deal with a medical need or injury.  These smaller traditions worked to cloud the original intent of the setting aside of the Sabbath—weightier concerns of the Law were lost in the minutia of petty rules (Matthew 15:3, 6-9; 23:23-24).  Jesus perfectly upheld the law (2 Corinthians 5:21), but He refused to be bound by the man-made traditions of the Pharisees.

After one Sabbath-breaking controversy (Matthew 12:1-8), Jesus entered “their” synagogue and caused another (Matthew 12:9).  A man with a “withered hand” was there, along with the people, Jesus’ disciples, and the Pharisees.  We are given no history and few details regarding the man, though Luke’s gospel records that it was the man’s right hand (Luke 6:6).  It is possible that the Pharisees had deliberately brought the man—to see what Jesus would do.  Alfred Edersheim comments regarding the scene:

“We can now imagine the scene in the Synagogue.  The place is crowded.  Christ probably occupies a prominent position as leading the prayers or teaching: a position whence He can see and be seen by all.  Here, eagerly bending forward, are the dark faces of the Pharisees, expressive of curiosity, malice, cunning.  They are looking round at a man whose right hand is withered, perhaps putting him forward, drawing attention to him, loudly whispering, ‘Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath-day?’  The Lord takes up the challenge.”

Alfred Edersheim

Jesus had the man come forward.  He asked the Pharisees, “Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do harm, to save a life or to kill (Mark 3:4)?”  “But they kept silent.”  “And after looking around at them with anger, grieved at their hardness of heart” (Mark 3:5), the Lord of the Sabbath (Matthew 12:8), healed the man on the Sabbath.  “Then He said to the man ‘stretch out your hand!’  And he stretched it out, and it was restored to normal, like the other” (Matthew 12:13).  As with Jesus’ other miracles, this one revealed His Divine authority and identity (John 20:30-31).  We are not told of the reaction of the people, though a future miracle caused the people to ask, ‘This man cannot be the Son of David, can He?’  (Matthew 12:23).  The reaction of the Pharisees was both sad and predictable: “But they themselves were filled with rage, and discussed together what they might do to Jesus” (Luke 6:11).

They were, after all, nothing but white-washed tombs, filled with dead men’s bones and all uncleanness (Matthew 23:27).  A lively faith and love for God that would have responded to the Spirit’s clear testimony regarding Jesus was absent (Matthew 12:31-32).  A genuine love for man that would have delighted in the restoration of this man’s health was missing.  In its place was a violent disdain for the One who was working to reveal the true nature of their puffed-up religiosity (Matthew 12:34-35).  Henceforth, they would not rest until the Light was extinguished.

Religious rule-keeping is no substitute for right relationship with God.  It is the nature of “self-made religions” to invent “commandments and teachings of men” (Colossians 2:22-23).  But the inferiority of anyone’s self-righteousness is readily exposed in the presence of the Light.  In response to Jesus there are but two choices, hate the light or come to it (John 3:20-21) —stand with Jesus or against Him (Matthew 12:30).  The Sabbath-day healing of the man with the withered hand enraged the Pharisees, but I’m thinking that the man with the withered hand probably had a different opinion.

Religious rule-keeping is no substitute for a right relationship with Jesus.

Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
let me hide myself in thee;
let the water and the blood,
from thy wounded side which flowed,
be of sin the double cure;
save from wrath and make me pure.

Not the labors of my hands
can fulfill thy law’s demands;
could my zeal no respite know,
could my tears forever flow,
all for sin could not atone;
thou must save, and thou alone.

Unknown's avatar

Author: looking2jesus13

Jerry L. Conklin was born and raised in Hillsboro, Oregon. After graduating from high school, he enlisted in the United States Navy and served for six years in the Navy’s Nuclear Power Program. He was assigned to the USS *Omaha* (SSN-692), a nuclear-powered fast-attack submarine, where he served as a reactor-plant electrical operator. His military service took him to ports and locations throughout the world and provided extensive technical training, leadership experience, and an enduring appreciation for those who serve in the Armed Forces. Following his Navy service, Jerry earned a bachelor’s degree in Nuclear Technology from Thomas Edison State University. He worked at the Trojan Nuclear Plant near Rainier, Oregon, first as a reactor operator and later as a training specialist. After sensing God’s call to pastoral ministry, he left the nuclear-power industry and earned a master’s degree in theology from Western Conservative Baptist Seminary in Portland, Oregon. Jerry served for twenty-seven and a half years as senior pastor of Lewis and Clark Bible Church in Astoria, Oregon. During those years, he preached and taught the Scriptures, provided pastoral counseling, performed weddings and memorial services, trained church leaders, and served individuals and families throughout the community. He also served as a fire department chaplain and participated in a variety of community ministries. After retiring from full-time pastoral ministry, Jerry and his wife, Laura, moved to Heppner, Oregon. There he served for approximately four years as a chaplain with Pioneer Memorial Home Health and Hospice, providing spiritual and emotional support to more than 150 patients and their families. In 2023, the Oregon Association for Home Care honored him as its Chaplain of the Year. Jerry also helped establish South Morrow County Seniors Matter, a nonprofit organization created to address the needs of older adults following the COVID-19 pandemic. As chairman, he worked with community leaders and volunteers to develop a weekly senior meal program, a monthly veterans’ lunch, and other activities and services. The organization served hundreds of seniors, mobilized more than 200 volunteers, and received statewide and national recognition. In 2025, Jerry was named Heppner’s Man of the Year, and his community service was later recognized by United States Senator Jeff Merkley. International missions have also been an important part of Jerry’s ministry. He has made ten trips to Uganda, where he has taught at pastors’ conferences, preached in churches, participated in Bible-school graduations, distributed Bibles and Christian materials, and encouraged local pastors and ministry leaders. He developed the discipleship booklet *First Steps with Jesus* to help new believers understand and grow in their faith. Jerry is the author of numerous books, Bible studies, devotionals, and teaching resources, including works centered on prayer, Christian hope, spiritual growth, and the person of Jesus Christ. His decades of preaching and teaching reflect his commitment to presenting biblical truth clearly, practically, and faithfully. Jerry and Laura were married for nearly forty-two years and raised four children. They were also blessed with three grandchildren. Laura passed away in August 2025 following an eight-and-a-half-year battle with cancer. Jerry currently lives in Hillsboro, where he helps care for his elderly father. He continues to preach, teach, write, and serve others through pastoral and community ministry.

Leave a comment