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Mark

Mark 
Day 
Day 63

1 Peter 2:12a "Having your conduct honourable among the Gentiles..."

Day 63 – Mark 3

“Having your conduct honourable among the Gentiles…” 1 Peter 2:12a

THE AWKWARD SILENCE OF THE PHARISEES

Once again, the Pharisees could not answer the question that Jesus threw wide open to the public. Any attempt to answer the question of Jesus would result in disaster. Mark made this notation.

“But they kept silent”
Mark 3:4b

1. They could not say that it was lawful to do evil.

If they gave this as an answer, their credibility would have been utterly destroyed. Their standing in public would have been totally demolished.

2. Neither could they say that it was lawful to kill.

The Pharisees knew that they could not hold this position either. The question Jesus posed to the public held the Pharisees at bay for what He was going to do next.

3. Nor could they agree with the healing of the man with the withered arm

The Pharisees could guess what Jesus would do next. Silence was the lamest answer they could give!

THE RIGHTEOUS ANGER OF JESUS

Jesus had every right to be angry with the Pharisees! How could they be so spiritually blind and obdurate?

“And when He had looked around at them with anger,
being grieved by the hardness of their hearts,
He said to the man, ‘Stretch out your hand.’
And he stretched it out, and his hand was restored as whole
as the other.”
MARK 3:5

1. Deliberately looking at the audience

One can easily imagine the scene. Jesus looked at all in the synagogue. He stared at all of them! He could see the indignation of the Pharisees. He could see tension within the heart of the man with the withered arm. He could see the crowds and how they were afraid to side with the man or with Jesus. They were afraid of the Pharisees!

2. Both grief and anger

The anger of Jesus was completely justified! The anger was tinged with a sense of sadness. He knew that the hearts of many of the people were hardened. They would not be able to comprehend the significance of Jesus’ power to heal.

3. Healing the man with the withered arm

Whatever Jesus did, He knew that the Pharisees would twist and misrepresent it. In full public view, Jesus uttered a word, and the man with the withered arm was instantly healed! The healing of the man was of greater importance than the view of the Pharisees.