Divided Kingdom

Jesus entered the synagogue. There was a man there who had a withered hand. They watched Jesus closely to see if he would cure him on the sabbath so that they might accuse him. He said to the man with the withered hand, “Come up here before us.” Then he said to the Pharisees, “Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath rather than to do evil, to save life rather than to destroy it?” But they remained silent.

 Looking around at them with anger and grieved at their hardness of heart, Jesus said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out and his hand was restored. The Pharisees went out and immediately took counsel with the Herodians against him to put him to death. (Matthew 3:1-6)

Today is Inauguration Day when a new President leads our country.  An un-withered hand is placed on a bible with the other hand raised, and the following words are said: “I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.”  

Unfortunately, many of us are looking around with anger and have hardness of heart.  So many of us have withered and wrung hands.  There is grieving.   Jesus tells us to stretch out our hands for restoration.  We must resist becoming Pharisees and Herodians wanting to put Jesus to death meaning we destroy life rather than save it. Division and tribal thinking destroy and do evil rather than do good.

Now more than ever before we all must subscribe to Jesus’ warning: "Every kingdom divided against itself will be laid waste, and no town or house divided against itself will stand.”  

Deacon David Pierce