Mark 3: 5. And he looked around at them with anger, grieved at their hardness of heart, and said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was restored.
Mark is telling of Jesus's ministry. There are many parables and there is the storm on the sea, but this healing causes the bad reaction of the authorities. How difficult it must have been for Jesus to witness the reaction of the healing by the powerful people in his Father's church! He is both angry and sad. But nothing could stop him from doing his Father's will.
Again there were many great stories to choose from, but I was struck by the emotion in this one. Jesus does nothing wrong, but the people in charge of the church view him as an enemy. They want to destroy the threat to their comfortable positions of power. It makes me both angry and sad too. I am angry with those who exploit their power, and I am sad for those who will not accept the comfort that a life of faith can provide.
Prayer: Lord, I pray that Your spirit might enter those who have rejected Your will in the past. You are a God of second chances. Please grant another chance to those whose eyes have been blinded to all You offer us. I am so grateful for my gift of faith, and I want that for all those I love.
Amen
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