This morning we continue our series entitled, “The Year of Supernatural Manifestation”, with our mini-series on “The Miracles of Jesus”. In our last message I introduced you to the story of the man with the withered hand. Leading up to the story, Jesus and His disciples had a run-in with a group of Pharisees in a wheat field. The disciples were hungry. They grabbed some heads of wheat, cracked them open, and offered themselves a snack. The problem is that it was Saturday. So, the Pharisees rolled in and accused Jesus’ disciples of “working” on the Sabbath. The disciples were hungry and the wheat provided relief, but the Pharisees were more focused on rules than common sense. Jesus taught the Pharisees a thing or two about the Sabbath and He closed with this statement: “The Son of Man is Lord over the Sabbath day.” I am sure they did not like that at all.
Jesus and His team left the fields and went to their synagogue. There they encountered a man with a withered hand. Once again, the Pharisees were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus of doing wrong. So they asked him, “Is it right to heal on the Sabbath day?” Jesus answered, “If any of you has a sheep and it falls into a ditch on the Sabbath day, you will take the sheep and help it out of the ditch? Surely a man is more important than a sheep. So, it is right to do good on the Sabbath day.” Then Jesus, without any fear of the Pharisees, directed His attention to the man with the withered hand. I love what happened next. Jesus said, “Hold out your hand.” The man attempted to stretch forth his withered hand, and sure enough, as he did, it became whole. His withered hand became the same as his other hand. And just like that, Jesus had performed another miracle. But the Pharisees left and made plans to kill Jesus.
So what does this mean to you today? In my last message I focused on the man with the withered hand. Today I will focus in on the Pharisees in the story.
1. Don’t ever allow jealousy to be your driving force.
a) The Pharisees fought Jesus because they were jealous of the crowds He was drawing. It’s a sad commentary, but people who claimed to be “close” to God, were actually acting no different than the world. The world should be able to see a difference in you!
b) When you know who you are and you are comfortable with your divine assignment, you can celebrate the diversities of giftings and callings without jealousy..
2. We can get more done together.
a) I always wonder how different the Gospels would be if the Pharisees had chosen to join forces with Jesus, instead of fighting against Him. The need in the world is big enough, and our God is big enough, for ALL of us to do what God has called us to do. There is no need to fight each other.
b) While it is true that one can chase 1,000, the Bible tells us that two can put 10,000 to flight! (Deut 32:30).
c) The wisest man in the Bible said, “Two people are better than one. When two people work together, they get more work done. If one person falls, the other person can reach out to help. But those who are alone when they fall have no one to help them.” (Ecc 4:9,10).
3. Rules cannot make you right.
a) The Pharisees were focused on rules. Jesus was focused on His relationship with the Father. Rules can’t make you right. Rules can only show you where you are wrong. Don’t live rule-based. Live relationship-based.
b) The purpose of the Law was not to make you right, but rather to show you how wrong you are. Paul said, “For no one can ever be made right with God by doing what the law commands. The law simply shows us how sinful we are.” (Rom 3:20). The purpose of the Law was to prove to man that we were not good enough; that we needed a Savior. That Savior came and His name is Jesus!
c) Focus on your relationship with the Father, through His Son, empowered by His Spirit. When you develop your relationship with the Father, you will walk in love, you won’t look down people, and you will build each other up, instead of tearing each other down.
Closing Confession: Father, this is a year of Great Victory for me. This year I will experience supernatural manifestation like never before. You ARE Love! Love is NOT what You do, Love is WHO YOU ARE! I am IN You and You are IN me! The more I die to self, the more I allow Your love to flow through me for all the world to see. The closer I get to You, the less I think of myself and more gracious I am towards others. I am comfortable with who I am, I can celebrate what You are doing in the lives of others, and I never look down on anyone. Living this way I am able to partner with others to get more done while I am in the land of the living! I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name, amen.
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and prosper!
