In the Gospel passage, Jesus' mercy for the man with the withered hand is the climax of the section that began with Jesus' cure of the paralyzed man in Mark 2, 1-12. Its climactic nature becomes evident in three ways. Firstly, the Gospel writer, Mark, places this synagogue cure on the Sabbath, immediately after the statement that Jesus is the Lord of the Sabbath. The cure of the man with the withered hand is concrete proof of Jesus' claim to Lordship. Lord, thank You for showing me the way.

Secondly, unlike the previous passages where it is the Pharisees who question Jesus and become upset with him, now it is Jesus who questions the Pharisees and becomes angry with them. In the face of Jesus' questioning, the Pharisees had nothing to say. Here, Jesus demonstrates his authority as Lord of the Sabbath. Thirdly, after Jesus shows his merciful power by perfectly restoring the man's hand, the Pharisees withdraw to plot how they might destroy Jesus. It shows that Jesus' way of life is leading to death.Lord, thank You for showing me the way.

Today's Gospel narrative of the healing of the man and the conflicts that Jesus has with the Pharisees demonstrates that it is never easy to be a disciple of the "Son of Man." Conflicts and challenges will come to those who wish to follow him. Nevertheless, no matter the difficulties we will face while trying to live the Christian life, Jesus will be with us on our behalf. He assures us that he will respond generously to our faith in him because he has come for the needy as a merciful Lord of the Sabbath.