Scripture Focus (Mark 3:1-12) – “Again he entered the synagogue, and a man was there with a withered hand. [2] And they watched Jesus, to see whether he would heal him on the Sabbath, so that they might accuse him. [3] And he said to the man with the withered hand, “Come here.” [4] 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. [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. [6] The Pharisees went out and immediately held counsel with the Herodians against him, how to destroy him. [7] Jesus withdrew with his disciples to the sea, and a great crowd followed, from Galilee and Judea [8] and Jerusalem and Idumea and from beyond the Jordan and from around Tyre and Sidon. When the great crowd heard all that he was doing, they came to him. [9] And he told his disciples to have a boat ready for him because of the crowd, lest they crush him, [10] for he had healed many, so that all who had diseases pressed around him to touch him. [11] And whenever the unclean spirits saw him, they fell down before him and cried out, “You are the Son of God.” [12] And he strictly ordered them not to make him known.”
I. Jesus’ Ministry Was Scrutinized (Mark 3:1-5)
A. The setting (Mark 3:1) – “Again He entered the synagogue, and a man was there with a withered hand.”
B. The suspicion (Mark 3:2a) – “And they watched Jesus…”
C. The subject (Mark 3:2b) – “…to see whether He would heal him on the Sabbath, so that they might accuse Him.”
D. The Savior (Mark 3:3-5)
1. He was not intimidated (Mark 3:3-4) – “And He said to the man with the withered hand, “Come here.” [4] 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.”
2. He was not pleased (Mark 3:5a) – “And he looked around at them with anger, grieved at their hardness of heart…”
3. He was not deterred (Mark 3:5b) – “…and said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was restored.”
II. Jesus’ Ministry Was Energized (Mark 3:6-9)
A. The resistance was organized (Mark 3:6) – “The Pharisees went out and immediately held counsel with the Herodians against him, how to destroy Him.”
B. His resolve was galvanized (Mark 3:7-8) – “Jesus withdrew with his disciples to the sea, and a great crowd followed, from Galilee and Judea [8] and Jerusalem and Idumea and from beyond the Jordan and from around Tyre and Sidon. When the great crowd heard all that He was doing, they came to Him.”
C. His technique was improvised (Mark 3:9) – “And He told His disciples to have a boat ready for Him because of the crowd, lest they crush Him…”
Jesus already had displayed a:
1) in-home ministry
2) on the beach ministry
3) in the synagogue ministry
4) city streets ministry
5) healing ministry
6) prayer ministry
7) deliverance ministry
III. Jesus’ Ministry Prioritized (Mark 3:10-12)
He prioritized the legitimate needs of PEOPLE!
A. Dying people (Mark 3:10a) – “For He had healed many…”
C. Desperate people (Mark 3:10b) – “…so that all who had diseases pressed around Him to touch Him.”
C. Demonized people (Mark 3:11-12) – “And whenever the unclean spirits saw Him, they fell down before Him and cried out, “You are the Son of God.” [12] And He strictly ordered them not to make Him known.”
D. Delivered people – Once He delivers people, then He disciples & develops people
The difference in heart between the synagogue and the seashore was what served as the catalyst for the outpouring of healings and deliverances. Atmospheres matter.
Mark 6:5-6 “And He could do no mighty work there, except that He laid his hands on a few sick people and healed them. And He marveled because of their unbelief.”