Mark:3

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* Verse 1-5 - This man 's case was piteous ; he had a withered hand , which disabled him from working for his living ; and those that are so , are the most proper objects of charity . Let those be helped that cannot help themselves . But stubborn infidels , when they can say nothing against the truth , yet will not yield . We hear what is said amiss , and see what is done amiss ; but Christ looks at the root of bitterness in the heart , the blindness and hardness of that , and is grieved . Let hard-hearted sinners tremble to think of the anger with which he will look upon them shortly , when the day of his wrath comes . The great healing day now is the sabbath , and the healing place the house of prayer ; but the healing power is of Christ . The gospel command is like that recorded here : though our hands are withered , yet , if we will not stretch them out , it is our own fault that we are not healed . But if we are healed , Christ , his power and grace , must have all the glory . * Verse 6-12 - All our sicknesses and calamities spring from the anger of God against our sins . Their removal , or the making them blessings to us , was purchased to us by the blood of Christ . But the plagues and diseases of our souls , of our hearts , are chiefly to be dreaded ; and He can heal them also by a word . May more and more press to Christ to be healed of these plagues , and to be delivered from the enemies of their souls . * Verse 13-21 - Christ calls whom he will ; for his grace is his own . He had called the apostles to separate themselves from the crowd , and they came unto him . He now gave them power to heal sicknesses , and to cast out devils . May the Lord send forth more and more of those who have been with him , and have learned of him to preach his gospel , to be instruments in his blessed work . Those whose hearts are enlarged in the work of God , can easily bear with what is inconvenient to themselves , and will rather lose a meal than an opportunity of doing good . Those who go on with zeal in the work of God , must expect hinderances , both from the hatred of enemies , and mistaken affections of friends , and need to guard against both . * Verse 22-30 - It was plain that the doctrine of Christ had a direct tendency to break the devil 's power ; and it was as plain , that casting of him out of the bodies of people , confirmed that doctrine ; therefore Satan could not support such a design . Christ gave an awful warning against speaking such dangerous words . It is true the gospel promises , because Christ has purchased , forgiveness for the greatest sins and sinners ; but by this sin , they would oppose the gifts of the Holy Ghost after Christ 's ascension . Such is the enmity of the heart , that unconverted men pretend believers are doing Satan 's work , when sinners are brought to repentance and newness of life . * Verse 31-35 - It is a great comfort to all true Christians , that they are dearer to Christ than mother , brother , or sister as such , merely as relations in the flesh would have been , even had they been holy . Blessed be God , this great and gracious privilege is ours even now ; for though Christ 's bodily presence cannot be enjoyed by us , his spiritual presence is not denied us . **** Matthew Henry 's Commentary ****

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