Jesus said, “The Sabbath [Rule] was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.”

Imagine a man whose right hand is withered, unable to function normally. Each morning he wakes up, painfully reminded that he can’t work like others, can’t hold things as others do, and can’t fully participate in society. Maybe he has dreamt of being healed, of being able to live freely, but wakes up only to find that his disability is still there. And while he may have felt unwelcome in the synagogue—an outsider in the community—he enters, drawn by hope, maybe a silent yearning that something will change.

This is the scene we find in Luke 6:6-11. It’s the Sabbath, and Jesus is teaching in the synagogue, surrounded by Pharisees who are waiting, watching, hoping to catch Him in a trap. The Pharisees see the man with the withered hand not as a person but as an opportunity to accuse Jesus of breaking the Sabbath laws. But Jesus sees things differently. He sees the man’s suffering and need, a man who has been overlooked, someone who longs to be whole.

As we explore this passage, we’ll see three powerful aspects of this encounter: the man’s decision to stand out and risk rejection, Jesus’ act of compassion and healing, and the Pharisees’ response, which reveals their hardened hearts. In this story, we see not only a miraculous healing but a portrait of God’s love, mercy, and justice for all who are in need. Through this, we’re invited to consider our own willingness to take risks in faith and to respond with compassion, even in the face of opposition.

Imagine the daily life of the man with the withered hand. His disability affected his ability to work, to participate fully in society, and likely to connect with others on an equal level. Each day, he was reminded of his limitations—physically, socially, and emotionally. He might have yearned for healing, perhaps dreaming of a day when he could use both hands, yet every morning he would wake up to the same reality. This man was used to being overlooked, marginalized, and perhaps even pitied, and as a result, he had likely learned to stay in the background.

But on this particular Sabbath, something shifted. As Jesus taught in the synagogue, this man found himself drawn to a possibility he had only dreamt about. Jesus noticed him and invited him to “Come and stand here” (Luke 6:8). To anyone else, this might have seemed like a simple request, but for this man, it was an invitation to faith. Jesus was asking him to step forward in a room filled with the Pharisees and religious leaders who upheld strict traditions, who were watching to see if Jesus would “break” the Sabbath by performing a healing. This man had a decision to make—stay in the shadows or step forward into the unknown.

His decision wasn’t easy. Stepping forward meant taking a significant risk. He might have feared being shamed, or he may have felt uncertain about what others would think. He knew that any action he took could draw criticism from those who followed the law strictly, those who might see his faith as disrespectful to tradition. Yet, something compelled him to believe in Jesus’ power to heal and restore. He chose to act on that faith, stepping out from the sidelines to stand before Jesus. In this moment, he placed his hope not in human approval or his own strength but in Jesus’ power and compassion.

This man’s choice exemplifies the courage of faith—a faith that moves beyond the comfort zone, that overcomes fear of rejection or judgment. In choosing faith over fear, he illustrates what it means to take a step toward Jesus despite the risks involved. Hebrews 11:6 reminds us that “without faith it is impossible to please God.” Faith, as seen in this man, requires trusting in Jesus, even when it means going against social norms or risking judgment from others.

In the same way, responding to Jesus’ call often involves taking risks. Like this man, we may have reasons to hold back, to stay in our comfort zones, and to avoid being vulnerable or exposed. The path of faith isn’t always easy—it challenges us to step forward in trust, even when the outcome is uncertain. But this man’s story reassures us that when we step out in faith, Jesus meets us there. Psalm 56:3 reminds us, “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.” Trust in Jesus is the foundation that moves us from fear to faith, enabling us to step into His presence despite our doubts.

As the man stood before Jesus, he was acknowledging that his faith in Jesus outweighed his fear of the Pharisees or any potential judgment from the crowd. This act of courage was a defining moment. He could have stayed hidden in his limitations, but he risked everything to respond to Jesus. And in doing so, he found healing and restoration that went far beyond physical recovery—it was a restoration of his place in the community, his ability to fully participate in life, and especially freely worshiping God in the temple.

His story serves as a reminder that faith often comes with risks, but it is precisely in those moments of stepping forward, trusting Jesus, that we experience His transformative power. When we respond to Jesus’ call, no matter how intimidating the situation, He meets us where we are and brings healing, wholeness, and restoration beyond what we could have imagined.

As the man with the withered hand stands before Jesus, a tense silence fills the room. The Pharisees, with eyes fixed on Jesus, wait to see if He will “break” the Sabbath law by performing a healing. For them, the Sabbath was a day of strict rest—a time to cease all work, including acts of healing. But for Jesus, the Sabbath was a time to reflect God’s love and mercy. While the Pharisees saw the Sabbath as a day defined by restrictions, Jesus viewed it as an opportunity for compassion.

Understanding the thoughts of the Pharisees, Jesus addresses them directly, asking, “Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do harm, to save life or to destroy it?” (Luke 6:9). With this simple but profound question, Jesus challenges the Pharisees’ rigid interpretation of the law. He shifts the focus from rule-keeping to the heart of the Sabbath’s purpose: doing good and honoring God. By healing the man, Jesus was not violating the Sabbath; He was fulfilling its true intention. The Sabbath was made for rest and renewal, for experiencing God’s peace and grace—and what better way to honor it than by restoring health to someone in need?

Jesus’ actions highlight a core aspect of God’s character: mercy. Hosea 6:6 states, “For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings.” In quoting this principle, Jesus reveals that God values mercy over ritual observance. Compassion is not something that can be paused or postponed; it is a continuous reflection of God’s heart. The Pharisees had become so absorbed in their rules that they had forgotten this essential truth. For Jesus, love and compassion were not bound by the restrictions of any law, even the Sabbath law.

Then Jesus turns to the man with the withered hand and says, “Stretch out your hand” (Luke 6:10). This instruction is an invitation to trust, an opportunity for the man to experience healing through an act of faith. Although the man’s hand had been lifeless and deformed for so long, he obeyed and stretched it out. In doing so, he was instantly healed, his hand restored to full function. This moment wasn’t just about physical healing—it was a sign of God’s boundless mercy, illustrating that God’s love transcends legalistic limitations. Through this act, Jesus shows that the Sabbath is not a restriction on compassion but an opportunity to demonstrate God’s love.

Jesus could have waited until another day to heal, but He intentionally chose to do it on the Sabbath, showing that God’s compassion is always active, not confined by human rules. This act was a profound declaration: the needs of people take priority over rituals. Compassion should never be withheld due to technicalities or traditions. Jesus’ healing on the Sabbath was a living demonstration of Matthew 12:12: “How much more valuable is a person than a sheep! Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.”

In this way, Jesus reveals a deeper truth. The Sabbath was created to serve humanity, to provide rest and renewal, not as a tool for judgment or exclusion. Jesus demonstrates that God’s law is rooted in love, not rigid adherence to tradition. The Pharisees had missed the point, focusing on the law rather than on the lawgiver, on ritual rather than relationship. By choosing to heal on the Sabbath, Jesus redefines what it means to be righteous: righteousness flows not from strict rule-following but from a heart aligned with God’s compassion.

This act of mercy on the Sabbath challenges us as well. It asks us to reconsider our priorities and to choose compassion above any rule that might restrict it. Jesus shows us that God’s heart is for people, especially those in need, and that honoring God often means acting in love, even when it defies convention. The man’s hand was restored, but even more, God’s message of mercy and love was displayed powerfully before the watching crowd.

Instead of marveling at the miraculous healing of the man’s withered hand, the Pharisees are filled with fury. Luke 6:11 reveals their reaction: “But they were filled with fury and discussed with one another what they might do to Jesus.” Rather than recognizing the compassion and power displayed by Jesus, they see only a threat to their authority and control. Their response exposes a profound disconnect between their understanding of God’s law and His heart of mercy. They viewed the Sabbath as an opportunity to judge and restrict, rather than a time to demonstrate love and grace.

For the Pharisees, the Sabbath had become a tool of control, a day used to maintain their authority rather than to reflect God’s merciful goodness. In their commitment to rules, they lost sight of the purpose behind them. Jesus’ act of healing challenges their rigid interpretation of the law and reveals the true intention of the Sabbath—a day to honor God, not through rigid restriction but through acts of love and mercy. Mark 2:27 captures this when Jesus says, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.” God established the Sabbath as a gift for people, a time of rest, renewal, and compassion.

Their response serves as a warning for all of us. In their obsession with rules, the Pharisees neglected the very essence of God’s law: love, mercy, and compassion. Instead of being moved by the man’s healing, they chose to judge, allowing their hearts to grow hardened. The Pharisees’ attitude reminds us that following rules or traditions, if done without love, can lead to a spirit of judgment rather than compassion. Jesus highlights this elsewhere when He says, “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill, and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy, and faithfulness” (Matthew 23:23). The Pharisees were meticulous in their rule-following, yet they missed what truly mattered.

This story challenges us to examine our own hearts. Do we sometimes place rules or traditions above compassion? Are we quick to judge others based on outward appearances, overlooking the deeper call to love and mercy? In this passage, Jesus shows us that God values a heart of mercy over strict adherence to rules. Micah 6:8 reminds us of God’s true desire: “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” God is more concerned with the condition of our hearts than with our ability to keep rituals.

The Pharisees were so focused on the law’s letter that they missed its spirit. While Jesus was extending healing, they were plotting His downfall. They prioritized judgment over mercy, control over compassion. Their hardened hearts were closed to the miracle before them and to the very presence of God in their midst. This is a warning to us not to let pride or rigid thinking keep us from seeing God’s work and mercy in our own lives and in the lives of others.

The Pharisees’ reaction illustrates the danger of allowing rules to overshadow relationships and judgment to overpower grace. In the end, God’s desire isn’t for rule-followers but for people with hearts that reflect His love and compassion. Jesus demonstrates that true righteousness isn’t about maintaining control or adhering to ritual for ritual’s sake. It’s about embodying God’s love in every action and allowing His compassion to shape our responses.

This passage calls us to evaluate how we view others and respond to God’s work in the world. Are we open to the ways God might challenge our own expectations, or are we bound by traditions that limit compassion? Jesus’ healing of the man’s hand on the Sabbath reveals that God’s love transcends human boundaries and rules. May we choose to be people who act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God, reflecting His heart of compassion rather than judgment.

In the story of the man with the withered hand, we encounter a powerful message about faith, mercy, and the choice between compassion and judgment. The man with the withered hand demonstrated faith by stepping forward, risking judgment and rejection to respond to Jesus’ call. He trusted that Jesus could bring the healing and restoration he had long desired, even if it meant standing out in a crowd that viewed him with suspicion. His act of courage reflects the kind of faith that God honors—a faith that steps forward despite fear, choosing to believe in Jesus’ power to transform.

In contrast, Jesus’ compassion shines brightly against the Pharisees’ rigid adherence to rules. Jesus chose mercy over tradition, healing the man despite the expectations of the religious leaders. He showed that love and compassion are at the heart of God’s law, challenging the Pharisees’ narrow view of the Sabbath. For Jesus, the Sabbath wasn’t a restriction but an opportunity to do good, to bring life and restoration. His actions demonstrate that God’s love is not limited by human rules and that true worship is reflected in a heart that prioritizes mercy.

The Pharisees, however, were more concerned with control and rule-keeping than with compassion. Instead of celebrating the man’s healing, they were filled with fury, missing the miracle happening right before them. This hardness of heart serves as a warning to us, reminding us of the danger of letting rules or traditions overshadow God’s love and mercy.

Jesus calls each of us to respond in faith, compassion, and openness to His work. True righteousness isn’t about adhering to human traditions but about a heart transformed by God’s love—a heart willing to step out in faith, extend mercy, and prioritize compassion over judgment.

Let’s pray.

Heavenly Father, thank You for showing us that true healing and righteousness come from hearts of Your love and mercy. Help us to step out in faith, even when it’s difficult, trusting in Your grace to transform our lives. Give us compassion for others, and protect us from the temptation to judge by outward standards. May our lives reflect Your love and mercy in all we do. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.