Herewith a pericope-quickie for the Gospel reading.

1. Living by "what's lawful?"
2. Choosing the Sabbath (=law) as Lord and losing the Sabbath's own Lord. Stubborn, withered, shriveled hearts.
3. Left with only that Lord's anger. Losing out on the Sabbath's promised "rest," by losing the Sabbath's Lord.

   
   

4. The Lord of the Sabbath. Jesus breaks the Sabbath-law to be merciful to the needy, and then is himself broken by that same law to become the law's Lord on Good Friday and Easter. Plotters against him (3:6) become agents for the very Sabbath fulfillment which they sought to thwart.
5. Healed of our own shriveled hearts by becoming that Lord's disciples. Partnering with him in being ourselves lords of the Sabbath.
6. Daily life in freedom from the tyranny of "what's lawful?" Life that is law-free, but not law-less. Lords of the law themselves, disciples use it--as their Lord did--for doing mercy to the hungry and needy.