The Story of Jesus

True Religion

The Pharisees (by misunderstanding the Law) thought that Jesus had broken the Sabbath law when he healed a crippled man on the Sabbath. So, the Pharisees became Jesus' enemies. From that time on they followed Jesus just to find fault.

One Sabbath Jesus and his disciples walked through a grain field. The disciples were so hungry  

that they picked a few ears and ate them. When the Pharisees saw this they said to the Master, "You and your disciples have broken the Sabbath law by gathering food to eat."

Jesus reminded them of the time David went to the tabernacle and ate the bread that belonged only to the priests. God knew David and his men were hungry, so he did not punish David. "Even the priests and the Levites work on the Sabbath, offering sacrifices in the morning and the evening," said Jesus. "The Son of man is Lord even of the Sabbath." And he went on to the city to teach in the synagogue.

As he stood up to teach the people, he saw a man who had a withered hand. The Pharisees watched him closely. They hardly knew what this Jesus would do next. The people followed him so willingly that the Pharisees were afraid. They tried to think of clever questions to trick Jesus.

"Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?" they asked.

Jesus answered, "If any of you have a sheep and it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, do you not get it out? A man is much more valuable than a sheep! Why then is it not lawful to do good on the Sabbath?"

The Pharisees said no more, but their faces showed how angry they were. Jesus was sorry their hearts were so hard. To the man with the withered hand Jesus said, "Stretch out your hand."

The man obeyed and immediately his hand was healed. The Pharisees were so outraged that they left the synagogue and met to plan a way to kill Jesus.

Jesus knew what the Pharisees were planning. He went out and great crowds followed him. He healed all the sick among them.