Some of them were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, so they watched him closely to see if he would heal him on the Sabbath.
Mark 3:2 NIV
The passage in Mark 3:2 describes a group of Pharisees watching Jesus closely. Imagine if you were present when Jesus performed miracles, and you desperately needed a miracle yourself. This man with the shrivelled hand had such an opportunity! But the Pharisees weren’t there for a divine encounter.
However, verse 2 tells us these men weren’t there to worship or witness God’s power. They were there to spy, to find fault with Jesus. Their hearts were hardened to the possibility of a miracle. They missed the significance of the moment, failing to see the manifestation of God walking among them.
Blinded by their agenda, the Pharisees ignored the man’s suffering and the wonder of potential healing. They weren’t amazed by the miracle unfolding before them, even though they likely had needs of their own. Their focus was solely on finding an accusation against Jesus.
This begs the question: What are we looking for when we approach God? Do we enter worship services seeking genuine connection or critiquing the delivery?
I recall my childhood experiences. Back then, some of us attended Sunday school not with the intention of learning, but rather to meticulously scrutinize the teacher’s speech for grammatical errors. In doing so, we unwittingly mirrored the behaviour of the Pharisees, who, despite their religious knowledge, missed the deeper, more profound message being conveyed.
Jesus came to offer life and salvation, yet the Pharisees focused on finding fault. Their closed hearts couldn’t grasp the truth of the miracle before them. They redefined “good” and “bad” to fit their agenda.
We all do this in our own way. We redefine what’s “good” to justify our actions. I invite you to consider: What drives our intentions when we engage with the Bible or participate in church services? Are we open to God’s message, or are we looking for something else?
Matthew 5:6 reminds us that those who hunger and thirst for righteousness will find satisfaction. If we approach God with open hearts, He will fill us with His abundance. However, if we define expectations outside of His plan, we risk missing what He offers.
So, how should we respond when God reaches out to us? When we pick up the Bible or enter a place of worship, what should be our intention? By seeking God with open hearts and a hunger for righteousness, we position ourselves to receive His blessings. Therefore, let us move forward, actively seeking God’s will and allowing Him to fill us with His abundance.
