Religion Can Kill

Job 20; Mark 3-4 

“Another time Jesus went into the synagogue, and a man with a shriveled hand was there. Some of them were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, so they watched him closely to see if he would heal him on the Sabbath. Jesus said to the man with the shriveled hand, ‘Stand up in front of everyone.’ Then Jesus asked them, ‘Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?’ But they remained silent. He looked around at them in anger, and deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts, said to the man, ‘Stretch out your hand!’ He stretched it out and his hand was completely restored. Then the Pharisees went out and began to plot with the Herodians how they might kill Jesus.”

Mark 3:1-6

At first glance, the urge to kill someone because they healed a person on the Sabbath seems absurd until we understand the importance of the Sabbath in Mosaic law and the cruelty of religious spirits. The Pharisees were the rule-keepers, representing a revival of Mosaic law. Their rule-keeping became essential to their identity and their personal sense of value. It was this identity rooted in religion that Jesus challenged. The Lord of the Sabbath was killed by the keepers of the Sabbath, fueled by religious spirits.

Are we easily offended?

Do we defend our religious system, and think interpretation of Biblical teaching is of secondary importance?

 When we attack brothers and sisters in Christ with different perspectives than our own, what is fueling our anger?

Are our hearts stubborn or responsive to the conviction of the Lord about our own sin?

“Lord Jesus, deliver me from religion, for your glory.”