What does God do when compassion collides with hard hearts?

In Mark 3:1–6, Jesus enters the synagogue and meets a man with a withered hand—and a room full of watchers looking for a reason to accuse Him. In this sermon, A Compassionate Savior, David Baalbergen walks through one of the most emotionally revealing moments in the Gospel of Mark, where we see both the anger and grief of Christ, and the unstoppable power of His love.

Rather than hiding from controversy, Jesus brings it into the open. He exposes the danger of legalism, confronts misplaced priorities, and shows that the Sabbath—and the Law itself—were never meant to restrain mercy. With a single command, Jesus restores what sin had distorted, even while fully knowing that this act of compassion would move His enemies closer to killing Him.

This message explores:

How legalism can dull compassion and distort God’s heart

Why Jesus values mercy and life over rule-keeping

Christ’s righteous anger and divine grief over hardened hearts

A Savior who chooses love—even when it leads to the cross

At the center of this passage is a beautiful truth: the love of our Creator overrides His sadness and anger over our calloused carelessness. Jesus heals, restores, and loves—even those who will reject Him.

If you’re weary, broken, skeptical, or longing to see the heart of Jesus more clearly, this sermon invites you to behold a Savior who sees suffering, confronts evil, and gives Himself for sinners.

📍 East Brainerd Baptist Church

1047 Graysville Rd

Chattanooga, TN

🕚 Sunday Worship | 11:00 AM

🌐 https://eastbrainerdbaptist.org

We would love for you to join us this Sunday as we gather to worship Christ, rest in His compassion, and rejoice in the grace of a Savior who restores what sin has broken.