Basic Questions

1. Identify as completely as possible the person in need (e.g., age, ethnic origin, religion, gender, social status).
   Man with shriveled hand (jewish on Sabbath).

2. What was the immediate, obvious need?
   The man's hand.

3. Who took the initiative in effecting the healing?
   The person in need? Others? Jesus?
   How was it expressed?
   Jesus told the man what to do. He said, "Stretch out your hand."

4. Describe the actions or process leading to the healing; that is, what was said (e.g., questions, requests, commands) and what was done (e.g., approaching, following, touching, publicly/privately), and by whom?
   Jesus' authority to heal on the Sabbath was challenged. Jesus told the man to stretch out his hand.

5. Did the person in need or someone else verbally express faith? Non-verbally? Describe how and by whom faith was in involved in this healing.
   The man stretched out his hand as he was told. Also he stretched out the hand that needed healing.

6. What were the evidences that the person was healed?
   The man's hand was restored in public.

7. What were the reactions to the healing?
   The Pharisees & Herodians began to plot to kill Jesus - their authority was challenged.

8. What in this narrative led Jesus to minister healing to the person in need?
   Jesus' authority over the Sabbath and the law was challenged.

Digging Deeper

1. Where and when does this event take place? What part does the time and place play in this account, i.e. - what would be true of this place and time?
   On the Sabbath the synagogue would be full of people - a place for Jesus' authority to be challenged and revealed.

2. Other than Jesus and the man, who are described as being present? Was the man there expressly to be healed?
   Pharisees - people of authority in the church were present.
   The man may have been there for healing because the Pharisees were using him to see if Jesus would heal on the Sabbath - it was "common" knowledge that Jesus would be there.

3. What happens when the man follows Jesus' instructions? Does Jesus lay on hands? Say any healing words? Pray?
   The man is healed when he follows Jesus' instructions. No laying on of hands - no healing words or prayer were offered. Also - Jesus' instructions were "clear".

4. What does Jesus say about the relative value of humans vs. animals? Would you use Matt 12:12 in a discussion with "animal rights" people?
   Man is more valuable than sheep.

5. Is the healing ministry offered by your parish? On Sunday mornings? If not, why? If so, what are the reactions?
   Holy unction once a month on Sunday morning - people participate.
   Healing Service thursday morning - people participate.
   Laying on of hands - prayer at altar - little participation.

6. What lesson(s) have you learned about healing from this account?
   Jesus has authority over the Sabbath and the law.
   Laying on of hands, words - prayer are not necessarily needed for healing to occur - simply follow Jesus' instructions.
   Jesus' instructions are "clear" when needed.