Divine Kindness Amid Human Opposition
D. Davies, M. A. Mark 3:1-5 And he entered again into the synagogue; and there was a man there which had a withered hand.… The destructive effects of sin are abundantly seen in this life. It destroys men's mental eyesight, making them blind to their own best interests. Notice here — I. THE DIVINE HEALER SEEKING OPPORTUNITY TO DO GOOD. 1. The pathway of filial obedience is the pathway of useful service. Jesus went to the synagogue because there He was sure to meet with human needs. He went to do good as well as to get good. These two things are identical at the root. 2. The comprehensiveness of God's purpose puts to shame the selfish narrowness of man's. No place or day can be too sacred for giving free play to the love of God. II. THE DIVINE HEALER DISCIPLINING THE FAITH OF THE DISTRESSED. The measure of our present strength is not the limit of what we can do. Divine help supplements human endeavour. III. THE DIVINE HEALER PROVOKING THE HOSTILITY OF THE PROUD. 1. It is possible for man's will to resist Divine influence. 2. The choicest blessing can he perverted into the direst curse. 3. Contact with Jesus makes men either better or worse. The ice that is not melted by the midsummer sun is greatly hardened thereby. IV. THE DIVINE HEALER DOING GOOD, HEEDLESS OF HIS OWN INTERESTS. Come what may, Jesus Christ must do good. It was the natural forth-putting of His inexhaustible love. It is as natural for Christ to show unmerited kindness as for the sun to shed its light, the rose to diffuse its fragrance. (D. Davies, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: And he entered again into the synagogue; and there was a man there which had a withered hand. WEB: He entered again into the synagogue, and there was a man there who had his hand withered.