Here is a fascinating little story about Jesus. This story is another third-person narrative: God, the storyteller, is talking about Jesus and a man with a withered hand and the Pharisees, using the third-person pronouns he and they. In third-person stories, the narrator is often omniscient; he knows the end from the beginning. He can also look into people’s hearts and know their motives.

[Jesus] entered again into a synagogue; and a man was there whose hand was withered. They were watching Him to see if He would heal him on the Sabbath, so that they might accuse Him. He said to the man with the withered hand, “Get up and come forward!” And He said to them, “Is it lawful to do good or to do harm on the Sabbath, to save a life or to kill?” But they kept silent. After looking around at them with anger, grieved at their hardness of heart, He said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” And he stretched it out, and his hand was restored. The Pharisees went out and immediately began conspiring with the Herodians against Him, as to how they might destroy Him. (Mark 3:1-6)

Notice this story begins with a shift in Jesus’ location. He enters the synagogue. Another shift in location occurs in verse 7: “Jesus withdrew to the sea with His disciples.” Shifts in time or place help us mark out the little stories within the larger story.

Examine the characters in this story more closely. Jesus is the main character. He is what we call the protagonist. This means that Jesus is not only the central or main character in the story, but that He is present to enter into conflict with the other characters, the antagonists. The antagonists are the characters or institutions opposed to the main character. The Pharisees are the antagonists. The third character in this story is the man with the withered hand. He is a foil; he is present to highlight the power, mercy, and love of Jesus.

This brings us to the idea of plot. The plot line begins with Jesus entering the synagogue, where there is a man with a withered hand. Tension is introduced when the Pharisees closely watch Jesus to see if He will heal this man. After all, it is the Sabbath, a day of rest. Tension rises when Jesus commands the man, “Get up and come forward!” Tension reaches a climax with Jesus’ question, “Is it lawful to do good or to do harm on the Sabbath, to save a life or to kill?” The story takes a turn when Jesus stares down the Pharisees and then commands the man, “Stretch out your hand.” Tension then unwinds as the Pharisees leave the synagogue. Plot involves tension and the unwinding of that tension; that is, there is resolution to the problem brought about by the tension.

Finally, follow the dialogue and purposeful absence of dialogue in this little story. The deafening silence of the Pharisees in response to Jesus’ question is very significant. “Is it lawful to do good or to do harm on the Sabbath, to save a life or to kill?” Ironically, the Pharisees have killing in their hearts as they depart the synagogue.

Learning to analyze plot, characters, and dialogue in narratives helps us live by the truths they teach. This story displays the wisdom, power, love, and mercy of Jesus. The Sabbath is that special day pointing to the eternal rest and healing of heaven. Jesus is the Lord of the Sabbath. Our response is to live under the lordship, love, and mercy of our Savior.

—Dennis J. Prutow