People with disabilities were definitely disadvantaged in Christ's day. Most people made their living through physical labor, so if someone was physically challenged, their ability to provide for themselves was severely hindered.

 

Consequently, many with physical disabilities were forced to beg, and they would station themselves just outside the religious centers of their communities. This made sense because God had commanded people to give to those in need (Deuteronomy 15:7-8), and those who were about to pray were bound to be more conscious of this.

 

That's the scene as Jesus makes His way into the local synagogue. A man with a deformed hand is standing there, at the threshold of religion, and Jesus takes notice of Him. He miraculously heals him, and in doing so He proves an important point.  

 

Notice that Jesus healed this man-not religion. By religion, we're referring to the system of belief, not the substance of belief, which is the personal presence of God. In other words, it's piety lacking presence-God's presence.

 

Here was someone who had begged at the gates of religion for who knows how long, and yet nothing ever happened. But one touch from Jesus and He was healed. Jesus did what religion couldn't.

 

Undoubtedly, there are those of us who have begged at the doors of religion but we still aren't whole. As a result, we've limited Jesus' abilities to the abilities of the religious system. That's a mistake, because Jesus has the power to do what religion can't.

 

Small Group Time: Discuss, Dig, Decide

 

Discuss with your group: As you consider your own faith, would you describe it as more about religion or relationship? Why?

 

Dig into Mark 3:1-6. How would you describe what's happening here in your own words? Why do you think Jesus felt the way he did in verse 5? Explain the purpose of the response in verse 6. What does this miracle reveal to you about Jesus?

 

Decide and define as a group how religion may be robbing you of a genuine relationship with Jesus. Let each person share his or her own experience, without judgment. How can your group make a difference in the way people see and understand Jesus? What part can each of you play?