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In Matthew Chapter 12 and at verse 9, we go into the synagogue – still on the Sabbath.

These Pharisees – these religious leaders – went into the synagogue looking for trouble. Jesus wouldn’t miss a Sabbath. He was not an occasional worshipper.

Verse 10 – Oh, it is all right to accuse on the Sabbath? These men are not present to worship but to keep a beady eye on Jesus Christ!

Here was a man with a withered hand. Had he come a long way to see Jesus? Let’s watch Him. Would He or wouldn’t He? They were furious. Jesus had ruffled their feathers once again. It is possible to follow Jesus for the wrong reasons. This could put people off Church for ever.

Verse 11 - Jesus speaks about what some men did on the Sabbath when something had happened.

These Pharisees thought they were Church, but they weren’t. They were pillars of what was crumbling. This is not what God intended them to be. They lost out on grace on altogether.

You could not put a patch on this to put things right.

Again, they are not interested in the person. Jesus could see right through them. He knew what they were thinking as the other Gospels inform us. He always does. He ignored them. He addressed the needy man in front of everyone. Think of the drama of it all. This was a challenge which Jesus could not avoid.

You would almost think there was an increase in evil in the world at this time as the enemy tried to attack this man, Jesus Christ, who was the Son of God.

The withered hand is healed and usable.

But, the plot thickens. This is what I find difficult in the Bible.

That synagogue was as full of evil as it was of goodness – was it not?

They had Him for breaking the Sabbath, but there is a greater accusation. He was doing good!

From all the finery of their ecclesiastical vestments there was a serpent underneath. It was as if they had torn off all their vestments and had revealed the serpents that they were. This is a sheer confrontation between good and evil.

The disciples are there – those who would be right at the very heart of the work – not the famous - not the rich, although we know some had businesses, which they left to follow Jesus – and they are probably in their late twenties.

There was not a religious leader among them of that which was dead! But they were leaders. They would be with Him observing everything. Their natural gifts would be transformed and used by God.

The disciples are there. A disciple is a learner. It is the Greek word, “mathetes”, from which we get mathematics –– a man who comes under strict discipline.

Would you be prepared to fly in an aircraft designed by a man who believed that two and two make five? Yet, we allow this type of flimsy superficial artificial discipline within certain parts of the church. I sometimes wonder if using the word church in such circumstances is accurate!

For three years these disciples of Jesus would be learning - coming close - observing - watching – and absorbing. They were uniquely privileged to have this superb training.

"The Way" from Kevin Pauley

A World of One