The Spirit of the Law

Again he entered the synagogue, and a man was there with a withered hand. And they watched Jesus, to see whether he would heal him on the Sabbath, so that they might accuse him. And he said to the man with the withered hand, “Come here.” And he said to them, “Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do harm, to save life or to kill?” But they were silent. 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. The Pharisees went out and immediately held counsel with the Herodians against him, how to destroy him.
Mark 3:1–6
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The Spirit of the Law
Doctors used to take what is known as the Hippocratic Oath before beginning their medical careers. Part of that oath is a pledge to first do no harm. After all, they are in this line of work to respond to those who are suffering and to help. They don’t have the luxury of ignoring those in need. For the Pharisees in Jesus’ day, it was more important to follow what they thought was the letter of the Law as opposed to the true spirit of the Law. They were more concerned about not working on the Sabbath than about the plight of the suffering man. And here Jesus steppes in and demonstrates His authority over the Sabbath, by restoring the man’s hand. He knows the true spirit of the Law and what the Sabbath was made for. And better yet He knows all our burdens and desires to grant us rest. So call on Him in earnest prayer. When the Lord is for us, none can oppose us! May our gracious and loving Lord lead us to take His Word to heart. By His Holy Spirit, may He work in us a faith that knows Him as the way, the truth, and the life.