Hardness of Heart

Mark 3:1–6 (The Complete Jewish Bible)

Yeshua went again into a synagogue, and a man with a shriveled hand was there.2 Looking for a reason to accuse him of something, people watched him carefully to see if he would heal him on Shabbat.3 He said to the man with the shriveled hand, “Come up where we can see you!”4 Then to them he said, “What is permitted on Shabbat? Doing good or doing evil? Saving life or killing?” But they said nothing. 5 Then, looking them over and feeling both anger with them and sympathy for them at the stoniness of their hearts, he said to the man, “Hold out your hand.” As he held it out, it became restored. 6 The P’rushim went out and immediately began plotting with some members of Herod’s party how to do away with him.

This is what churches have become. The pastor may preach directly from the Bible, but the church security is watching to make sure no one gets out of line or to take swift action if they do. They have become part of the police state.

Jesus felt both anger and sympathy at the hardness of heart He was witnessing. He spoke and healed anyway, but before He did, Jesus asked if it were better to do good or evil on the Sabbath. 

With total disregard for what Jesus said, the religious leaders went out and sought a way to kill Him.

Public leaders called Elijah a trouble maker and Jesus Himself divided people. We shouldn't be surprised if our obeying Christ also divides.