Confession: I have a critical spirit at times.

There are ugly moments in my life when I find myself identifying more with the religious leaders in the gospels than the people who come to Jesus, who are needy, helpless, and desirous of healing, acceptance, and love. At times, I completely miss the heart of Jesus for people. It makes me sad.

In Mark 3, Jesus enters into the synagogue and there’s a man who has a withered hand. His hand had shrunk due to age or some type of disease. The feel of the text is that this withering is attributed to a disease because Mark 3:2 says that they (the religious leaders) watched to see if Jesus would heal the man on the Sabbath. Just to be clear, there’s a man who has some type of physical handicap and the religious leaders are more concerned that Jesus leave the man unhealed rather than “violate” the Sabbath, which of course wasn’t a violation at all as the religious leaders wrongly categorized a healing as a “work.”

What does Jesus do? He asks a question: “Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do harm, to save life or to kill?”

The proverbial “crickets” filled the air. They had nothing to say.

And then Jesus healed the man.

Here’s a personal observation from Mark 3: in my heart I know there are many times where I simply and flagrantly miss the heart of Jesus. When I think about the people that Jesus has providentially placed around me I want to see people as Jesus did, as people in desperate need of a healing touch, a kind word, a listening ear, and most importantly, a gospel appeal. I want to be compassionate, not critical. Sympathetic, not sharp. Charitable, not censorious.

What about you? How are you growing in the likeness of Jesus today? Take a moment and ask Him to work in your life. He’ll answer that request.

Keep going, Graceland. Proud of you.