Stepping into the Light: Jesus' Healing Invitation
Summary
This morning, the invitation is to open our hearts to the God who heals, redeems, and transforms. At the core of our life together is the conviction that Jesus has the power to heal—spiritually, physically, emotionally, and relationally. This is not just a theological idea, but a lived reality, as we’ve seen in our own community: marriages restored, families reconciled, bodies and hearts mended. Yet, the healing Jesus offers is not automatic; it requires us to bring our brokenness into the light. Like the man with the shriveled hand in Mark 3, we are called to step forward, sometimes in vulnerability and without certainty, trusting that Jesus meets us in our honesty and obedience.
The story in Mark 3 presents two kinds of people: those open to Jesus and those resistant, even in the face of a miracle. The difference is not in what they witness, but in the posture of their hearts. Some are so focused on rules, self-justification, or their own pain that they cannot see the grace and power right before them. Others, aware of their need, respond to Jesus’ invitation and are forever changed. The challenge for us is to recognize that we all need heart healing, even if it’s not as visible as a physical ailment. Our hearts can be hardened, distracted, or hidden behind outward appearances, but Jesus persistently calls us to bring everything into the light.
Living in the light is the family motto of God’s people. It means refusing to hide behind shame, guilt, pride, or self-righteousness. It means being honest with God—and sometimes with trusted others—about our struggles, failures, and wounds. In the light, foolishness and sin lose their power; healing and freedom become possible. Jesus’ questions—“Do you want to get well?” “Will you step out in faith?”—are invitations to trust Him with our mess, to stop justifying ourselves, and to receive the grace that sets us free. The promise is not just for personal transformation, but for the joy and renewal of our families, our community, and our world. The call is to step out of darkness, to let everything live in the light, and to be open to the forever change that only Jesus can bring.
Key Takeaways
- Jesus’ Power to Heal Is Comprehensive and Present
Jesus’ authority to heal is not limited to the spiritual realm; it extends to every area of brokenness—relationships, bodies, minds, and communities. Even those who opposed Him in Mark 3 could not deny His power. The invitation is to trust that Jesus’ healing is available today, not just as a distant hope but as a present reality for those who are open to receive it. [13:05]
- Healing Requires Vulnerability and Bringing Things into the Light
Jesus most often will not heal what we insist on hiding. The act of stepping into the light—admitting our need, confessing our struggles, and refusing to justify or minimize our mess—is essential for transformation. In God’s family, “everything lives in the light,” and it is in this space of honesty that shame, pride, and sin lose their grip and healing can begin. [16:13]
- Obedience Often Precedes Understanding or Certainty
The man with the shriveled hand had no guarantee of what would happen when Jesus called him forward; he simply obeyed. Sometimes, the path to healing requires us to take steps of faith before we know the outcome. Whether it’s showing up, confessing, or following a nudge from God, obedience opens the door for God’s power to work in our lives, even when we feel exposed or uncertain. [14:16]
- Heart Healing Is Subtle but Essential
Unlike physical wounds, heart wounds can be hidden behind polished exteriors and religious activity. Yet, Jesus is most concerned with the state of our hearts—our core processor for life. He persistently asks questions and speaks truth to draw out what is hidden, inviting us to bring our stubbornness, self-righteousness, and pain into His healing light. True transformation begins when we allow Jesus to address the deeper issues beneath the surface. [21:56]
- The Posture of Our Hearts Determines Our Experience of God’s Grace
Two people can witness the same miracle and have radically different responses, depending on whether their hearts are open or closed. Hardness of heart, apathy, or ambivalence can blind us to God’s work and keep us in darkness. The invitation is to cultivate a heart that is receptive, humble, and eager for the light, so that we do not miss the joy, freedom, and forever change that Jesus offers. [26:36]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[01:10] - Chatham Serves: Engaging Our Community
[02:30] - Vision 2027: Force Multipliers for Kingdom Good
[04:27] - Every Encounter with God Is Unique
[05:55] - Mark 3: The Man with the Shriveled Hand
[08:34] - The Danger of Closed Hearts
[10:21] - Sabbath: From Slavery to Belovedness
[11:51] - Missing the Heart for the Rules
[13:05] - Jesus’ Power to Heal: Then and Now
[14:16] - Vulnerability: Bringing Brokenness into the Light
[16:13] - The Futility of Self-Justification
[18:06] - Darkness Multiplies Brokenness
[19:19] - The Challenge of Heart Healing
[21:32] - God’s Family Motto: Everything Lives in the Light
[24:17] - Jesus’ Questions: Invitations to the Light
[26:36] - The Difference a Heart Makes
[29:46] - Healing in Community
[32:43] - Don’t Waste Your Life in Darkness
[34:50] - Prayer for Openness and Healing
Study Guide
Small Group Bible Study Guide: Living in the Light of Jesus’ Healing
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### Bible Reading
Mark 3:1-6 (NIV)
1 Another time Jesus went into the synagogue, and a man with a shriveled hand was there.
2 Some of them were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, so they watched him closely to see if he would heal him on the Sabbath.
3 Jesus said to the man with the shriveled hand, “Stand up in front of everyone.”
4 Then Jesus asked them, “Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?” But they remained silent.
5 He looked around at them in anger and, deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts, said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was completely restored.
6 Then the Pharisees went out and began to plot with the Herodians how they might kill Jesus.
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### Observation Questions
1. In Mark 3:1-6, what are the two different attitudes or “postures of heart” that people bring to Jesus in this story? ([05:55])
2. What does Jesus ask the man with the shriveled hand to do, and what is significant about this request? ([14:16])
3. According to the sermon, what was the real issue for the religious leaders who witnessed the miracle? ([11:51])
4. What is the “family motto” that the pastor says God’s people are called to live by? ([21:32])
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### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Jesus asked the man to stand up in front of everyone before healing him, instead of healing him privately? What might this teach us about vulnerability and healing? ([14:16])
2. The sermon says that “Jesus most often will not heal what we insist on hiding.” Why is bringing things into the light so important for transformation? ([16:13])
3. The religious leaders saw the same miracle as everyone else, but responded with anger and plotting. What does this reveal about the power of a hardened heart? ([26:36])
4. The pastor mentions that heart wounds can be hidden behind “polished exteriors and religious activity.” Why is heart healing so essential, even if it’s not visible to others? ([21:56])
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### Application Questions
1. The man with the shriveled hand had to step forward in front of everyone, exposing his brokenness. Is there an area of your life that you have been hiding or keeping in the dark? What would it look like to bring it into the light before God—or even with a trusted friend? ([16:13])
2. The sermon says, “Jesus most often will not heal something that we will not bring into the light.” What is one practical step you could take this week to be more honest with God about your struggles, failures, or wounds? ([16:13])
3. Sometimes, like the man in the story, we are called to obey Jesus before we know what will happen. Is there a step of obedience or faith that you sense God is asking you to take, even if you feel uncertain or exposed? What is holding you back? ([14:16])
4. The pastor shared that “everything lives in the light” is God’s family motto. How could you help create a culture of honesty and openness in your family, friendships, or small group? ([21:32])
5. The sermon challenges us to recognize our need for heart healing, even if it’s not obvious. Are there signs in your life—like apathy, pride, or self-justification—that might point to a deeper need for Jesus’ healing? ([21:56])
6. The religious leaders missed the miracle because their hearts were closed. Are there ways you might be missing what God is doing because of distraction, pride, or being focused on the “rules”? How can you cultivate a more open and receptive heart? ([26:36])
7. The pastor prayed for those “coddling darkness” or “hiding things.” What encouragement or hope do you find in the idea that Jesus calls us out of darkness not to shame us, but to set us free? ([34:50])
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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Invite group members to pray for courage to bring their needs and brokenness into the light, and for open hearts to receive Jesus’ healing and grace.
Devotional
Day 1: Jesus Has the Power to Heal
Jesus has the power to heal every kind of brokenness—spiritual, physical, emotional, and relational. This is not just a distant hope but a present reality, as even those who opposed Jesus in the synagogue could not deny His miraculous ability to restore what was lost or damaged. Whether it’s a hurting marriage, a struggling family, a wounded body, or a weary heart, Jesus stands ready to bring healing and renewal. The invitation is to believe that His power is not limited by our circumstances or our doubts, and to open ourselves to the possibility that He can do what seems impossible. [13:05]
Mark 3:1-5 (ESV)
Again he entered the synagogue, and a man was there with a withered hand. And they watched Jesus, to see whether he would heal him on the Sabbath, so that they might accuse him. And he said to the man with the withered hand, “Come here.” And he said to them, “Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do harm, to save life or to kill?” But they were silent. And he looked around at them with anger, grieved at their hardness of heart, and said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was restored.
Reflection: Where in your life do you need to trust Jesus’ power to heal—physically, emotionally, or relationally—and will you ask Him for that healing today?
Day 2: Healing Requires Bringing Brokenness into the Light
Jesus most often will not heal what we refuse to bring into the light. The man with the shriveled hand had to stand up in front of everyone, exposing his brokenness without any guarantee of what would happen next. In the same way, healing in our lives often begins with vulnerability—admitting our struggles, mistakes, or pain before God, and sometimes before others. Darkness multiplies shame, pride, and sin, but when we bring our mess into the light, we open ourselves to the freedom and restoration Jesus offers. The family of God is marked by the motto: everything lives in the light. [19:19]
Ephesians 5:13-14 (ESV)
But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, “Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”
Reflection: Is there a hidden area of your life—sin, pain, or shame—that you need to bring into the light before God or a trusted friend today?
Day 3: Obedience Often Precedes Understanding or Healing
Sometimes, Jesus calls us to take a step of obedience before we know what the outcome will be. The man with the withered hand had no promise of healing when Jesus told him to stand up and stretch out his hand; he simply obeyed, and healing followed. In our own lives, God may ask us to act in faith—whether it’s confessing a struggle, making a change, or reaching out for help—without knowing exactly what will happen next. Healing and transformation often come as we trust and obey, even when the path is unclear. [29:46]
John 2:5 (ESV)
His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”
Reflection: What is one step of obedience God is prompting you to take today, even if you don’t know what the result will be?
Day 4: Heart Transformation Is the Deeper Need
While outward brokenness can be obvious, the deeper need for all of us is heart transformation. We can look good on the outside while hiding pride, self-righteousness, or pain within. Jesus is always inviting us to bring our hearts into His light, to be honest about our need for healing, and to allow Him to transform us from the inside out. The questions He asks—“Do you want to get well?” “Do you want to be free?”—are invitations to let Him heal the places in us that no one else can see. [24:17]
Psalm 139:23-24 (ESV)
Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!
Reflection: What is one area of your heart that you sense needs Jesus’ healing touch—will you invite Him to search and transform you there today?
Day 5: Openness to Jesus Brings Joy and Lasting Change
The difference between those who left the synagogue rejoicing and those who left plotting was not what they saw, but the openness of their hearts. When we open ourselves to Jesus—His questions, His truth, His grace—we position ourselves to be forever changed, to experience joy, freedom, and new life. God’s invitation is to step out of apathy, ambivalence, or hardness of heart, and to open ourselves to the light and love He offers. There is a whole universe of God’s mercy and joy waiting for those who will say yes to Him. [32:43]
Revelation 3:20 (ESV)
Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.
Reflection: In what area of your life do you sense Jesus knocking—how can you open your heart to Him today and experience His joy and transformation?
Quotes
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