Matthew 12:13 Then he said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." And the man stretched it out, and it was restored, healthy like the other. English Standard Version (ESV)
The circumstances in our lives cause or allow us to see things in scripture that we might otherwise overlook. Today's verse comes from Matthew 12 which is today's read through the Bible New Testament reading. Earlier in the passage we read that the man had a "withered" or paralyzed hand. I can picture this hand because I've seen my son Jeff's hands that are "withered" from the accident which left him disabled. He doesn't have much use in them except for the thumb on his right hand with which he can squeeze something. He can't do a regular hand shake but instead, will stretch out his hand and do a fist bump. When I read this and the Pharisee's reaction, I am stunned. Who would not look forward to having someone in their congregation, their church or synagogue family healed and restored in such a way?
Jesus tells the man to stretch out his hand. I can see the amazement on his face as he stretched out his hand and at some point feels sensations in the hand that were long gone. The fingers have feeling, they are functional and now they reach out to Jesus as proof of His love compassion and power. What changes will this bring about in his life now and for the rest of his life?
Many people struggle with addictions to or phobias of things that leave them virtually paralyzed, unable to do or perfrom things. How do we react towards them? Does our heart go out to them? Do we reach out to them and show compassion? Who wouldn't want to see them healed, to be able to function as they would hope and dream to now and how might God use them for the rest of their lives? May we welcome such people into our churches and our lives. May we pray for the healing that Jesus Christ still brings whether it be restoration of body or mind. May we rejoice in what He does.
Mike
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Matthew 12:9-14
The Message (MSG)
9-10 When Jesus left the field, he entered their meeting place. There was a man there with a crippled hand. They said to Jesus, "Is it legal to heal on the Sabbath?" They were baiting him.
11-14 He replied, "Is there a person here who, finding one of your lambs fallen into a ravine, wouldn't, even though it was a Sabbath, pull it out? Surely kindness to people is as legal as kindness to animals!" Then he said to the man, "Hold out your hand." He held it out and it was healed. The Pharisees walked out furious, sputtering about how they were going to ruin Jesus.
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