September 2, 2023 - Mark 1-4

So many illnesses. So many problems. Among them was the man with the withered hand whom Jesus met in the synagogue on the Sabbath and healed him. Of course, the Pharisees were mad because this happened on the Sabbath, and they accused Jesus of “working” on the Sabbath. Jesus, essentially, answered them and said that it is always a good time to do good. The Pharisees’ response? “The Pharisees went out and immediately held counsel with the Herodians against him, how to destroy him” (3:6).

It strikes me that evil men are always ready to do harm to good men who do good things. Yet, we cannot allow that threat to keep us from doing good and telling the truth. The right will win out in the end. The crowds saw Jesus and what he was doing, and they came to him. They didn’t come to the Pharisees. They didn’t sit for the teaching of the scribes. They didn’t throng to the Sadducees. But, wow, they came in great numbers to Jesus!

O Master, let me walk with thee

In lowly paths of service free;

Tell me thy secret, help me bear

The strain of toil, the fret of care.

Teach me thy patience; still with thee

In closer, dearer company,

In work that keeps faith sweet and strong,

In trust that triumphs over wrong. -- Washington Gladden (1879)