The Hated Good Guy

(Jesus) looked around at them all and then said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." He did so, and his hand was completely restored. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law were furious and began to discuss with one another what they might do to Jesus (Luke 6:10-11).

I love this account of Jesus healing the man with the withered hand. His miracle sparked an immediate reaction from the bad guys. They began to plot his death. 

Now imagine that. Here you have a man who goes around the country healing every sort of disease and suffering. Do you have a sore back, no problem for Jesus. What's that you say? Cancer. Poof gone! Arthritis, impaired vision, paralyzed whatever, are no obstacles for this man from the north. 

However, not only was Jesus eliminating all diseases, but his teachings were unique. He seemed always to have the correct answers or solutions to every person's questions or concerns. Yet the scribes and Pharisees wanted him dead. Why? 

Jealousy. These schemers had a good thing going. Their system of "worship" had taken centuries to develop, and it was intricate and expensive. People looked at a scribe or Pharisee with respect and a certain sense of awe. They were the doctors and lawyers of the day, and they were super "spiritual.” Or at least that is what everyone thought. 

Until Jesus came along to throw the proverbial monkey wrench into their corrupted machination, when voices from heaven and missing limbs started to appear out of nowhere, the ire began to rise. When the multitudes began to flock to the new guy, these "blind guides of the blind" began to plot a quick end to their problem. He was going to wreck everything! Their reaction was jealousy's fruit. 

Jealousy seeks to eliminate all contention for recognition. It can have no rival. Jesus, in his teaching, was disrupting their religious norm. In his way of teaching, there would be less money entering the sacred pipeline. People would not recognize truly religious people like scribes and Pharisees. Their flowing robes and long prayers on street corners were wasted cloth and useless drivel. How could that work? He had to be stopped! 

Where is the lesson for us in this story? There are many but let's focus on one. We must analyze our religion from time to time. Is what we are doing an expression of true worship and godliness? Or have our phylacteries covered our spiritual eyes. We have a specific order to what we do at church. We sit in the same place every week. We say hi to the same people and sing the same hymns. Would we want Jesus dead if he came into our church and began messing with our stuff? 

We gasp just thinking of such a proposal, but we must never forget the Scribes and Pharisees. They did religious things but were godless pagans. When we consider them,  it will help keep us in our place as humble Christ-followers.