28-Pharisees-A

And We Thought We Knew You:
Soul Journey With the Real Jesus

Legalistic Pharisees
NEVER ON A SUNDAY

Spring AD 28
Jerusalem, Judea

�� It's Saturday.� Saturday ~ the Sabbath ~ is holy.� Well, as long as you're in synagogue it's holy.� There's certain things you don't do on Saturday.� It's always been that way.� There's holy protocol.� Rules.� They must be honored. [1]

�� Jesus does not honor their so-called protocol.� Their amendments to the Law of Moses.� It's all backwards and inside out and mushed.� Will the Temple leaders never get this through their heads?� Will they never quit putting burdens on people that God never ordered?� Where do these Temple leaders come off with all this protocol business?� Protocol, schmotocol. [2]��

�� Jesus sometimes gets very tired of the whole thing.� It's got to stop.� Time to bring it to their attention.� He'll make his statement, not just in one city, but in several cities all across Palestine.� Maybe then they'll get the idea.� Jesus decides to start in Jerusalem. [3]

�� Is Jesus taking this whole thing too seriously?�

�� Abihu lives in Jerusalem.� Well, kind of.� Abihu exists in Jerusalem.� Actually, where he lives is on the floor.� Been there nearly 40 years.� It's something you never get used to.� Never.�

�� He's got a degenerative disease and the doctors gave up on him a long time ago.� Feelings gone.� Nerves shot.� Muscles atrophied. Nothing left.� Nothing but discouragement, mocked sadistically by hope.

�� As long as it's been, Abihu's always on the lookout for a cure.� Lately, he's investigating angels and witches and fortune tellers.� He's really into this spirit thing.� Traditional religion never helped anyway.� He's as helpless in his legs as ever.� Let those holier-than-thou people go to the Temple all they want.� He's going to find a different power on his own.�

�� Something he hears while begging over by the market catches his attention.� There's talk of angels visiting earth.� Once he got one of the shoppers to talk to him and tell him more about it.� That was unusual to say the least.� People don't like to be around cripples.

�� A week later Abihu recognizes the same man walking among the shops and manages to get his attention again.� Any new reports?� Yes, there are rumors that angels are making visitations to a hot springs bath house right there, over at a pool by the Sheep Gate into the city. [4]

�� Abihu is curious why the pool was built outside the city.� There are other pools.� Why would the angels pick that one?� It's behind the Temple and where the smelly shepherds over by Bethlehem take their sheep to supply the priests with their quota.[5]

�� Still he hears talk.� "Have you heard about the Bethesda pool?" he hears people say.� Once he hears a comment that disturbs him.� He doesn't like the comment. �

�� "Oh, it's just like any other pool around here.� The water shoots up periodically every day after it builds up pressure underground.� It's not an angel.� It's just nature." [6]

�� A few days later, Abihu hears what he had hoped to hear.�

�� "Hey, did you hear about the Pool of Bethesda?� A cousin of mine got cured of bone aches a few days ago.� Everybody that's sick or crippled is going there."

�� On Abihu's way home that evening, he talks with his two brothers.� They leave him every morning to beg wherever he wants, then return to take him back home every evening.

�� "I've got to get to that pool," he tells them.� "Have you heard the reports of the angels and healings?� I've got to go there."

�� The brothers do not say anything going home, which irritates Abihu.� But he will force them to talk to him about it after dinner.

�� "Don't believe everything you hear, Abihu."

�� "It's just rumors.� I haven't seen anyone healed there."

�� "It's just a waste of time."

�� "Besides, the ground is too rocky around there.� What if we get thrown off balance and you go....� Well, it's just not a good idea.� You've got a good income over by the market around people with money.� That's your best bet."

�� "How do you know what's best bet for me?" he retorts.� "Have you spent your whole life on the floor?� Have you spend your whole life being looked down on?� Have you spent your whole life begging?� Don't tell me what the best bet for me.� You don't know!" [7]����

�� "All right," a brother responds.� We'll take you tomorrow before we go to the Temple."

�� How Abihu has longed to go to the Temple on the sabbath - or any other day for that matter.� But the good people don't accept him very well there.� He may as well go to the pool and take his chances there.� Angels.� Why not?

�� Every morning for several weeks, Abihu's brothers stumble across the rocky hill to the pool, walk through the five colonnades, and is set down near the edge of the pool. [8]

�� Every day the crowd of disabled people grows.� Blind, lame, paralyzed people.� All trying to get into the waters at precisely the right time.� And every evening he is taken home the same way. [9]

�� "Still crippled, aren't you, Abihu?"

�� "Just like we told you it would be."

�� "Why are you wasting your time like this?"

�� "Give it up, Abihu."

�� But day by day he continues to make his brothers take him to the magic pool ~ the pool of the angel, they say.� Day by day hoping that will be the day of his healing.� He must keep believing in the angel.

�� But day by day, when the waters shoot up, he cannot get into the water in time.� He must be the first one in the water for it to work.� It does not work for anyone else. [10]

�� "If you'd stay with me all day, I could be the first one in the waters."

�� "If the waters can really heal, why don't they heal everyone, not just the first person?"

�� "You've just picked the wrong angel."

�� "We can't sit around there all day.� We've got things to do."

�� "Oh, that's right," Abihu retorts bitterly.� "You're important and I'm not."

�� It is the sabbath again.� As usual, Abihu's brothers take him to the pool, then on to the Temple to be with the good people. [11]

�� Down the same road.� Out of his neighborhood.� Out of town.� Hills and valleys everywhere.� Hills and valleys in Abihu's life.� He thinks he's headed for a hill.� But it'll be a valley.� Until Jesus.� That's the surprise Abihu doesn't know about.� There won't be a hill, because there will be a mountain.

�� He arrives at the pool just in time to hear it.� His brothers are in a hurry.� They must leave.� This time he is dropped off at the entrance, at the top of the steps.

�� Moments later he hears it.� It's the water.� It's roaring under ground. Churning.� Swirling.� Rushing.� People rush to the edge of the pool and either jump in on their own, or are aided by friends.

�� "Oh, yes!" he hears.� "I'm healed!� I know I'm healed.� I think I can use my hand again.� Oh, blessed angel.� Thank you, blessed angel."

�� Shouts.� Exhilaration.� Jealousy.� Once again, and once again, and once again Abihu is not ready.� How long before the next angel stirring?�

�� He starts every day exhausted.� He sits awhile at the entrance.� Watching the people rush up the steps in ecstasy.� Watching the next group rush down the steps in hope.� Hope for their miracle. [12]

�� The steps are deserted now.� And the way to the pool.� He can go now.� And be ready for the next stirring.� He will be healed next.� He must be next.� He works his way down one step at a time using his strong arms, carrying his mat around his shoulders.� Thank God, he still has arms.

�� "You're not planning to jump, are you?"

�� "You bet I am," Abihu responds.

�� "Well, there's no bottom.� You'll drown before your healing."� How bitter the man is becoming.

�� Abihu looks over at him.� He'd be no help to him.� He is weak and emaciated from some kind of disease.� He needs healing as much as Abihu does.� And he is as helpless.

�� How he aches for his healing.� More and more drained of energy.� More and more drained of hope.� More and more drained of his miracle.

�� Several hours later, he hears a rumbling.� It's the stirring.� It's the angel.� It's his healing.� He becomes alert and begins to look around at the others.�

�� Frantically he begs.� "Please help me.� Help me get into the water.� Help me get healed.� Help me walk again.� Please help me....� Please....� Someone....help....me...."

�� "I'm healed!� I know I'm healed.� I can feel my fingers again.� I'm healed!� Praise the angel!"

�� Once again Abihu is left out.� Once again people rush past him.� Once again Abihu sits disillusioned, dismayed, disheartened.� All alone.� Deserted.� He may as well jump in and end it all.� They may as well bury him in the waters.� Why go on?� Oh, ,y God, why go on?

�� "Do you want to be healed?"

�� Who said that?

�� "Abihu.� Do you want to be able to walk?"

�� Who?� Where?� Abihu looks around.� He turns, and sees a young man kneeling on one knee and looking at him. [13]

�� "You talking to me?"

�� "Yes, Abihu.� Do you want to be whole?"

�� "What kind of question is that?" Abihu answers annoyed.� "I don't know why I'm wasting my time.� I may as well give it up."

�� Abihu, you can do better than that.� The nice man asks you a point-blank question, and you give him the runaround.

�� "I don't have anyone to put me in the pool right after it started stirring.� While I'm trying to get in by myself, someone else gets in ahead of me." [14]

�� The man belonging to the voice looks straight into Abihu's eyes now.� Abihu stares back at him and his hope grows.� The stranger is young and healthy.� He's there to help people get into the pool as soon as it starts stirring.

�� "Abihu."

�� "Yes?"

�� "Abihu, why don't you just go ahead and get up right now?" [15]

�� Get up?

�� "Get up.� Fold up your mat and just walk out of here."

�� Somehow Abihu is believing this man.� This stranger.� Is he the angel? [16]

�� Abihu looks down at his legs.� He can feel them!� And muscles are developing in them!� His legs are filling out!�

�� Now Abihu is standing.� Abihu is healed!

�� He stares.� He jogs in place.� He jumps.� "I'm healed!� I'm healed!� I didn't even get in the water!� That man healed me!" [17]

�� "What man?"

�� Abihu turns around.� The stranger is gone.� Who was he? [18]

�� He looks again at his legs.� He pulls up his tunic to stare at his healthy legs, his energetic miracle legs.� He runs in place a moment, then touches his toes.� He can feel his toes!� Hear that, everyone?� Abihu can feel his toes!

�� "Why am I waiting around here?� I don't need the water," he says aloud.

�� He folds up his mat and rushes over to the stairway.� He's feeling good.� Read good.� He decides to run down the fifteen steps and back again.� Man, this is living!� Abihu has legs!� Abihu has dignity.� Abihu will now be looked up to and get the respect he deserves.

�� On his way across the rocky hill toward the sheep gate and home, he notices the Temple up ahead more than usual.� He remembers it is the Sabbath.�

�� "Why not?" he mutters to himself with a grin.� Hanging on to his mat, he heads to the entrance to the grand Temple.

�� He walks in.� He is all smiles.� He is not noticed yet.� He will be.

�� There's a crowd in the great courtyard.� They've just let out from a special Passover service.� It had been so inspiring.� The choir sang like angels.� The orchestra resounded from earth to heaven and back. [19]

�� Abihu thinks he's in luck.

�� But Abihu's dirty from crawling around on the steps.� He's been sweating.� His hair is unkempt and down in his eyes.� His body odor takes your breath away.� Still he hurries around and waves the mat he has sat on in hopelessness for years.�

�� "Hey, there!� Watch where you're going!"

�� "Oh, excuse me, but I believe you just ran into me."

�� "Hey, get out of here!"

�� "Look at that funny man, Mommy, skipping around like a kid and waving that mat."

�� "Sir, you're disturbing our worshippers.� You are carrying a mat around.� That is not allowed on the Sabbath.� Our creed states that such activity is work." [20]

�� "I just wanted to share the good news.� I just wanted to thank God for whoever he sent to heal me."

�� "You've been healed?"

�� "Yes!� I can walk again!� This mat my proof.� I haven't walked in 38 years.� The man just told me to pick up my mat and start walking.� So I did." [21]

�� "Just who was it that told you to carry your mat around on the Sabbath?"

�� "You mean the man who healed me?� I don't know." [22]

�� "Well, do something with that mat, your proof.� You're violating the regulations of our creed."

�� "Oh, I can't do that.� I need my proof."

�� Abihu wanders around the lobby, still with his mat, now over his shoulders.� People still move aside.� His body odor is unbelievable.� The dirt on him smudges the clothes of the worshippers.� Where did he come from, anyway?

�� "Abihu.� How are you, Abihu?"

�� He turns.� It's the stranger.

�� "You!� You're the one who healed me!� Who are you?" [23]

�� "My name is Jesus.� You are now enjoying good health.� Quit sinning with those things you're checking on ~ the witches, the fortune tellers, the angels ~ or something worse will happen to you. [24]]

�� "Oh yes.� Whatever you say.� But wait right here.� I want to get someone."

�� Abihu turns and works his way through the crowd once more.� He finally locates him.� He's talking to some men.

�� "Sir, priest, I know who healed me now.";

�� "Could you wait just a moment?� The scribes and I are discussing something very important.� I'll be right with you."

�� "But the man who healed me.� He was Jesus."

�� Their heads all turn.

�� "Who did you say?"

�� "Jesus.� Do you know him?" [25]

��

�� The men look at one another and understand the signal.� They retreat into an adjoining room, a conference room, and shut the door.

�� "This Jesus must be stopped!"

�� "He associates with riff-raff like that, then leads them astray by telling them to work on the sabbath."

�� "Those people he teaches.� They're rude and selfish.� They don't understand Temple protocol or simple manners.� They'll never understand."

��"They'll ruin everything.� They'll run off all the decent worshippers."

�� "He's got to be destroyed.� If he isn't, he'll destroy our religion."

�� "For the good of our religion we must get rid of him.� Somehow.� We've got to think of a way."

�� "He'll destroy our religion's integrity bringing in people like this."

�� "Our Sabbaths will never be the same again.� He's got to be stopped." [26]

�� Jesus leaves town with his aides.� There are seven now.� Philip, Andrew, Peter, Nathaniel, James, John, and Matthew.� Every devoted believer in God always goes to Jerusalem to celebrate Passover at the Temple.� It is a solemn occasion.

�� Jesus is planning to add new meaning to the Passover and its spotless sacrificial lamb.� But it won't be for awhile yet.� He plans to set them free - eternally.� But he must have time to teach them how to act to obtain this new freedom. [27]

�� One of the things is to quit worshipping the sabbath.� The sabbath was made for man, not man for the sabbath.� The sabbath is supposed to be used to reach out to the needs of mankind, not hibernate in a temple alone with the other righteous. [28]

May AD 28
Somewhere in Galilee

�� Jesus continues to tour and teach.� He goes to market places, city squares, forums, where ever anyone will listen to him.� He also goes to the synagogues.� The religious leaders aren't sure about him.� Especially the ones who value their power.

�� Still they travel and teach.� But sometimes they do not plan very well.� They've run out of money and therefore of food, and today is the sabbath.� They do not worry.� After all, did not the Law of Moses allowed for that?� Along the road for miles everywhere are grain fields, ripe with the first harvest of the year. [29]

�� Jesus looks around.� He's being watched.� Not by the ever-present Roman troops.� By Temple representatives.� It is happening more and more.� Other worshippers on their way to the synagogue decide to follow him and see just what he does on sabbath morning.� Those other worshippers are the Pharisees, the religious party heads, the legalists.

�� It is time for a lesson.� For the sake of the legalists.

�� "Hey, how about some breakfast?" Philip calls out.

�� "Sounds like a plan," James answers, already heading into the nearest field.

�� "Fresh grain.� Nothing like it."

�� "Hey, there's too many weeds in my section.� You guys having better luck?"

�� "Come over this way.� It's thick over here."

�� "Man, this is good!" [30]

�� Jesus isn't hungry, so sits on the side of the road and waits for them.� He's got a twinkle in his eye.� Those Pharisees who conveniently stopped by the road to eat something in their pack and watching.� Just like planned.

�� After awhile, they approach Jesus.� They are swaggering.�

�� Peter sees them.� "We're in luck.� They're going to take us to the synagogue and open up their grain room for us." [31]

�� "Thank you, God," John announces happily.

�� Andrew hears talking out on the road, so comes out and joins them.

�� "What's going on?"

�� "Those Pharisees.� We're going to get a real breakfast.� Maybe even enough for tonight and tomorrow."

�� "God provides," Nathaniel adds, throwing down the chaff from the grain he's already eaten and joining the others.

�� They are not expecting what happens next.� But they have some warning, for by now the Pharisees are almost to them.� And they are fighting mad.� Albeit a holy mad.

�� "You know your disciples are breaking the sabbath rules, don't you."� It's not a question.� "Jesus, you are such a hypocrite." [32]

�� That's it?� They're not saying, "We packed enough bread to share with you"?� They're not saying, "We'll go to our benevolent fund at the synagogue and help you out"?��

�� The disciples are confused.� Jesus is not.� He has gotten their attention.� He has challenged yet another of their amendments to God's commands.� He did not say that.� They know it.� The disciples know it.� Jesus knows it.

�� "You claim to know so much about our religion," Jesus replies.� "Yet you choose not to remember how King David and his companions ate the communion bread that only priests were supposed to eat. [33]

�� The Pharisees shuffle.

�� "But, sir, you are not our King David," one of them announces, "and these are not his companions.� God loved David with a special love.� Further, that was long ago.� You never heard of anyone doing that since then, have you?" [34]

�� Jesus is not intimidated by their reply, for it is no reply at all.� He decides to chip away at yet another layer of hardness around religion of the men.

�� "Then there are all the priests.� They work on the sabbath offering sacrifices.� Yet you do not condemn them." [35]

�� "But, sir, you are not a priest, and your disciples are not priests."

�� Oh, but Jesus is a priest.� Not only that, but he is their high priest.� They do not want Jesus to be their high priest.� He refuses to wear holy vestments and work in the grand Temple. [36]

�� "Eating on the sabbath is work?� How ridiculous," intercedes Peter.� "You don't expect us to buy that, do you?"

�� Jesus turns and looks at his disciples.� He says nothing to them, then turns back to the Pharisees.

�� "You want some scripture to go to the synagogue and talk about?� How about this one from the prophet Hosea whom you claim to respect so much:

�� "I want mercy toward other people more than I want ritualistic perfection." [37]

�� "Sir," a Pharisee replies.� "You know nothing about the sabbath or how to hold it in respect.� You are a disgrace to the Jewish religion and rules."

�� "And you, sirs, do not acknowledge who you are talking to.� I, the son of mankind, am the creator and ruler of the sabbath." [38]

�� The self-righteous try to stare down the righteous.� Jesus refuses to say more.� He wants them to think about what he has said.� He turns to his disciples and one of them holds out a hand full of grain.� He eats it happily.

�� "This is good," his friendly benefactor encourages.� "You need some before we go on to the synagogue."

�� And, while they are feeding themselves, the Pharisee party leaders head off to the synagogue.� Don't want to be late.� They've got something up their sleeves.

�� In the mean time, in town there is a struggle of wills.

�� "Come on, Mordecai.� You need to go to synagogue this morning."� It's a Levite. [39]

�� "But I just can't."

�� "Why not?� It's a beautiful day," the Rabbi replies.

�� "Why did you pick today to come visit me?� You don't have time to stay and talk.� I get so lonely during the week.� I'm so ashamed of the way I look."

�� Mordecai is in his mid-forties.� He is bitter.� He is supposed to be in his prime.� Instead, he barely gets by.

�� "No one will notice, Mordecai.� Come on.� Everyone misses you."

�� "If they missed me so much, why don't they ever come see me?"

�� "People are busy these days, Mordecai.� You know that.� But we pray for you."

�� "Go away.� I'm useless at home.� Useless on the job.� I'm even useless at the synagogue."

�� "Once you make yourself get out, you'll be glad you did.� Believe us."

�� "It's too far.� I can't walk that far this morning."

�� "Not to worry, Mordecai.� We've brought a donkey for you.� He's tied out just outside.� Just waiting for you."

�� Mordecai is confused.� Why all this attention all of a sudden?� Why is he so important all of a sudden?

�� "Here, I brought a new robe for you.� It was my uncle's.� He died a couple years ago and no one has worn it since.� Look.� It fits you perfectly."

�� Mordecai softens.� Well, he could use another robe.� Maybe he'd go just this sabbath.� Maybe they do miss him after all.

�� The trap is set.

�� By the time Jesus and his disciples arrive, the synagogue is nearly full. [40]

�� They go in.� They do not notice when a man with a shrivelled hand walks in accompanied by two synagogue leaders, one on each side.� They sit down half way up, but in the aisle so Mordecai will be spotted.

�� There is no singing, for they are careful not to do what the appointed choirs in Jerusalem are to do.� Instead they meditate in holy silence. [41]

�� Jesus tries to preach in every synagogue that he can.� This is no exception.� They agree to let him preach.� They have ulterior motives.� If the Temple leaders are going to stop this heretic before he destroys Judaism and everything it means, they've got to get proof of his heresies, his rule breaking.� Jesus, of course, knows all this.� He is going to give them the proof they want.

�� A passage from the Law of Moses and one from the prophets area read.� Jesus goes to the front to begin his sermon.� The sermon will be a strange one.� He pauses right after his introduction and stars at Mordecai.� Ah, yes.� He sees the new bait.� And the rest of his sermon. [42]

�� Jesus never performs a miracle unless it will teach an eternal lesson.� It's time for a miracle.� He steps away from the front and walks down the aisle toward the man with the shrivelled hand.� What's going on? [43]

�� "Go up front with me," Jesus tells the man.

�� Mordecai is embarrassed.� He wanted attention, but not this kind.� But he looks into Jesus' eyes and senses he is in good hands.� There is something special about him.� What could it be?� Kindness?� Firmness?� What is it?�

�� Then Mordecai recalls the name.� "You're Jesus, the miracle worker, aren't you?"

�� Jesus smiles.

�� The man, hoping beyond hope that his hand will be made whole anxious follows Jesus.� As he does, the events leading up to his terrible condition flash through his mind.� He has relived them a thousand times, each time trying in vain to change them.�

�� All eyes watch him.

�� Mordecai had been a promising potter.� He'd completed his apprenticeship.� Everyone said he had talent.� Some said he could fetch a good price for his work.� A few even said his pottery was worthy of a king.�

�� Then one day about this time of the year ~ in the spring ~ it had been blustering and raining all day ~ a wind blew open his gate.� A gust like he'd never seen before.� It blew over pottery on a shelf above him and it came crashing down.� He could remake the pottery.� But he could not remake what it did to his hand.� One of the pieces of pottery, an especially sharp one due to the many coats of paint he had put on it, landed on his wrist.� And cut it.� Cut his wrist.� Cut his business.� Cut his future, his income, his dreams.� Cut his manhood.

�� Alternately, people in the audience watch Jesus, then Mordecai.� The doctor treated it, but some nerves were destroyed.�

�� What will Jesus do?� When they took off the bandages when no more healing could be done, his arm had caved in and atrophied.�

�� Walk into our trap, why don't you, Jesus?� That was seventeen years ago.�

�� Back to the front, Jesus turns with the man still at his side, then puts his arm around Mordecai. [44]

�� "Is it right to help, or to hurt on the sabbath?� Is it right to save a life or to kill?"

�� The audience stirs in disapproval.� They mumble to each other.� Never on the sabbath.� We don't desecrate the sabbath by treating the sick.� This is a holy day. [45]

�� "Uh, Jesus, I demand ~ we all demand ~ to know what you are planning to do in this our holy service.� Surely you do not plan to desecrate the sabbath rules by treating this man's hand." [46]

�� The Pharisee smirks.� The audience smiles in approval.� Jesus bites.

�� Oh, you people.� What are all your holy acts for?� What are all your good deeds for?� So you can get talked about at the city square?� So you can brag you have the highest attendance in the city?� Jesus is frustrated and growing angry. [47]

�� Mordecai doesn't like being the center of attention.� But Jesus keeps his arm over his shoulders.� He looks at Jesus confused.� Jesus knows, and smiles.

�� But his smile does not remain.� He resumes his sermon.

�� "Listen to me, and listen good!� I have a question for all of you.� Answer it if you dare.� If any of you had a flock of sheep and one of them fell into an uncovered cistern, would you refuse to pull it out of the pit and treat it on the sabbath?" [48]

�� Oh, come on, now, Jesus.� Let's get serious.� What's that got to do with the sabbath?

�� "How much more value, then, is a man above animals?� Of course it is legal ~ not only legal, but holy - to do good on the Sabbath." [49]

�� Now wait a minute, Jesus.� You're meddling in things that are none of your business.� It's not up to you to tell us when to treat the sick.

�� Jesus takes his arm down from Mordecai and backs up facing him.� Loudly and angrily he says, "Hold out your hand."

�� Mordecai knows the anger is not toward him.� Mordecai, too, is angry at what has happened to his hand.� He pulls up his sleeve and holds out the bad hand.�

�� The audience gasps at the sight of the entire shrivelling process, as well as the new infection which has made it more grotesque than ever.

�� The man does not know what has already gone on that day.� All he understands is that he just wants to be healed.

�� Please, Jesus, heal me.� Heal my hand.� Make me normal again.� Could you take time off from your worship to heal me?

�� Suddenly, right before everyone's eyes, the man's hand is changing.� His finger joints are straightening.� His fingernails are getting color.� His hand and arm are filling out, almost like they are growing.� They ARE growing!� Growing to normal size!�

�� Mordecai stares at it in disbelief.� But also belief.� He gasps.� The worshippers gasps.� He glances sheepishly at the worshippers.� Then back at his hand.� He puts his other hand up next to it.� They match.�

�� He grins.� He wiggles his hand.� He moves his fingers back and forth.

�� "I'm whole again!� My hand is normal!� Jesus healed me!� Oh, praise God!� Praise God!" [50]

�� Jesus has defied the leaders once again.� How dare he mock them like this?� Work on the sabbath is work on the sabbath.� How dare he?� Just who does he think he is?

�� They get up from their pews and walk out angrily.� In a row.� A righteous row.� He must be destroyed before he destroys them.� They have their proof.� That's all they need.�

�� No one crosses us.� No one defies our authority.� No one. �Not even you.� You are a dead man.

�� They call a meeting.� He must be destroyed.� They will figure out how.� At all costs, Jesus must be killed.� But, of course, not on the sabbath. [51]

���� LIFE APPLICATION

1.�� There are a lot of claims of healing today.� But no one claims 100% success, though� Matthew 8:16 says that Jesus healed all of the sick that were brought to him, and he gave the power to his twelve apostles to heal "every disease and sickness."� Jesus healed people who weren't even in the same city with him.� Jesus returned people's limbs (Matthew 15:30, where the word "maimed" is used), and brought people back to life.�

4.�� Does God no longer care about our illnesses and handicaps?� Not at all.� We can pray to God any time for healing (James 5:14).� But, like the Apostle Paul himself who asked for his handicap to be taken away but was refused (II Corinthians 12:7), sometimes God has a grand purpose for having them.� When we are weak, we become stronger by using God's strength (I Corinthians 4:10).� Remember, it is Satan, not God, who causes bad to happen to us.� Some day, God will rid us of all handicaps and pain and suffering, and he will wipe away all our tears.� It will happen in heaven (Revelation 21:4) and it will be a forever thing.� Think of someone who is ill and pray for that person.

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