The Atheist's Church

"And it came to pass also on another Sabbath, that he entered into the synagogue and taught: and there was a man whose right hand was withered. And the scribes and Pharisees watched him, whether he would heal on the Sabbath day; that they might find an accusation against him. But he knew their thoughts, and said to the man which had the withered hand, Rise up, and stand forth in the midst. And he arose and stood forth. Then said Jesus unto them, I will ask you one thing; Is it lawful on the Sabbath days to do good, or to do evil? to save life, or to destroy it? And looking round about upon them all, he said unto the man, Stretch forth thy hand. And he did so: and his hand was restored whole as the other. And they were filled with madness; and communed one with another what they might do to Jesus" (Luke 5:6-11).

The name of Jesus Christ is the most despised name in history. If you disagree, then name one other historical figure who has his name used in place of a cuss word. How about wicked men like Hitler, Judas, or Rasputin? None were despised enough to use their name in such a way.

Jesus Christ is hated by those who love to do evil. To them His name has no honor. It is used without a second thought; taken "in vain."

If you become a Christian (if you are born again), and stand for righteousness, you will be "hated for His name's sake." That means that this world will also hate you. Of course the wicked will say that they don't hate you. They just hate what you stand for--which proves the point. They will never admit it, but they hate Christ in you.

Of course, the contempt for Christians in contemporary society is nothing like the hatred that was poured upon the early Church. They were burned as torches in Nero's court, and ripped apart by lions because they belonged to Jesus Christ. During the Spanish Inquisition, they were tortured and murdered by the Roman church, because they belonged to Jesus Christ.

In this passage we are told that they were "filled with madness" because Jesus healed a man on their holy day. Bible commentator Matthew Henry said, "Christ was neither ashamed nor afraid to own the purposes of His grace. He healed the poor man, though He knew that His enemies would take advantage against Him for it. Let us not be drawn either from our duty or from our usefulness by any opposition. We may well be amazed, that the sons of men should be so wicked."

How true are those words. No matter what the Christian does, if he stands for the cause of that which is good, right and just (in the name of Jesus Christ), the wicked will be filled with madness.

Jesus healed the man’s withered and lifeless hand. That perfectly describes the state of the unsaved. They are "withered" and lifeless--marked for death, alienated from the life of God. If you don’t know the Lord today, rise up, stand forth in the midst of this wicked world, stretch forth your hand to God in repentance and faith in Jesus, and He will make you whole.