In the movie The Incredibles, there is a scene where ex-Super Hero Bob Parr, aka Mr. Incredible, has a confrontation with his boss. Mr. Incredible has been forcibly retired from the hero business for years, and is working at an insurance company. He is doing a good job, but too good of a job. He helps his clients get the most out of their policies and claims by helping them to navigate the inner workings of the company. This did not go unnoticed by his boss, who is frustrated by the amount of money they are losing from his help. As the boss yells at Mr. Incredible, our hero notices a guy is getting mugged outside of his office. Mr. Incredible exclaims, “That man is being mugged! We have to do something!” As he walks out to go help, his boss says, “Leave this office, and you will be fired. Turn around, and come back here.” Mr. Incredible then notices the robber grabbing the man’s wallet and walking away. He said, “He got away!” His boss then said, “Good. Let’s just hope he is not one of our customers.”
In the second half of our Gospel text, Jesus finds Himself in a similar dilemma. In the synagogue, Jesus sees a man with a withered hand who needs His help. Jesus knows what He needs to do and what needs to be done. However, the religious establishment does not allow Him to do it. They tell Him, “Don’t do it! Do not heal him, it is not allowed on the Sabbath.” As Jesus finds Himself in this dilemma, He teaches us about the Sabbath Day. Our text shows what the Jews thought about it, what Jesus thought, and what the Sabbath means for us today.