Satanic Influence

The Pharisees are still reeling from the last encounter with Jesus when he walks into their synagogue. They did this as we learn in parallel gospels, intentionally to ‘trap’ Jesus. So they ask this teacher who allowed his followers to ‘work’ to get the grainheads off the stalk on the Sabbath, whether it is lawful to heal on the Sabbath.

And Jesus breaks it down simply. Which man would allow any of his livestock to suffer for a day if it had fallen into a ditch on the Sabbath. The answer? Not one of them would. They would ‘work’ to get the animal to safety.

But there was literally nothing Jesus could have done to please them. Their loyalty was to their own leadership and their power. But it doesn't matter, because someone who could see a miraculous healing and still attribute it to Satan is under the influence of some strong Satanic influences.

Jesus's question goes unanswered as He heals the man with the withered hand. And instead of marveling at the miracle, they plot together how they might destroy him. What is the lesson here?

If you are following Christ, you will have opposition. And that opposition won't necessarily be coming from outside the church. Many times it's the leadership of churches opposing doing the work of the Gospel.

They fear losing power or control to a new generation of church members. And that fear manifests in persecution, power plays and anger. It is clear Satanic influences are in play. Jesus is Lord of the Sabbath, and no law is greater than Him.

Matthew 12:9-14


[9] Departing from there, He went into their synagogue. [10] And a man was there whose hand was withered. And they questioned Jesus, asking, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?”—so that they might bring charges against Him. [11] But He said to them, “What man is there among you who has a sheep, and if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will he not take hold of it and lift it out? [12] How much more valuable then is a person than a sheep! So then, it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.” [13] Then He *said to the man, “Stretch out your hand!” He stretched it out, and it was restored to normal, like the other. [14] But the Pharisees went out and conspired against Him, as to how they might destroy Him.