Page 410 - Bible History

CHRIST, THE GREAT TEACHER 383
Jesus knew what was in their minds, so He said to the man with the withered hand, ''Arise, stand forth.'' The man obeyed. T.hen Jesus said to the Pharisees, "I ask you if it be lawful on the Sabbath Day to do good, or to do evil, to save life, or to destroy it7'' They did not answer Him, so He asked them another ques­ tion, "What man among you, whose sheep fell into a pit on the Sabbath Day, would not lift it out7 How much better is a man than a sheep ! Therefore, it is lawful to do a good deed on the Sabbath." Turning to the man, He said, ''Stretch forth thy hand.'' He stretched forth his hand, and immediately it was cured.
Filled with rage, the Pharisees rushed out of the synagogue. They sought out some of the in uential men of the place who were courtiers of King Herod and asked them to help them nd some way of putting Jesus to death.
The Pharisees were strongly attached to earthly The riches and pleasures, and they lived very worldly lives. G t
Jesus often told them that their manner of living would prevent them from entering the Kingdom of Heaven. But they believed that they had a right to a place in the Kingdom because they were the children of Abraham. To correct this false idea, Jesus told them the following story:
"A certain man made a great supper and invited many guests. At the hour of the supper he sent his servant to them who were invited, bidding them to come, for now all things were ready. They began all at once to make excuses. The rst said to him, 'I have bought a eld and I must go out and see it. I pray
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