A Man with a Shriveled Hand

The following is encouragement for you as if Jesus Christ Himself was speaking.  These are meant to give you insight into His Heart, how He thinks, and how He feels about you.  Let this encouragement begin to dwell deep within you!

Another time he (Jesus) went into the synagogue, and a man with a shriveled hand was there.  Some of them (the religious leaders) were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, so they watched him closely to see if he would heal him on the Sabbath.  Jesus said to the man with the shriveled hand, “Stand up in front of everyone.”

Then Jesus asked them, “Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save a life or to kill?”  But they remained silent.

He looked around them in anger and, deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts, said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.”  He stretched it out, and his hand was completely restored.  Then the Pharisees went out and began to plot with the Herodians how they might kill Jesus.

MARK 3:1-6 (NIV)


Imagine the picture.  I was in the synagogue on the Sabbath, surrounded by religious leaders who weighed themselves down, and others, with the most complex system of religious rules and regulations, and then coupled that system with a demand that everyone scrupulously keep even the smallest and most insignificant law.  They thought that God was a strict rule keeper, a zealous spiritual accountant, more concerned with outside appearances, intensely driven by the same religious details.  In short, they were closed-minded, and neither knew my Father nor his heart.

But I did, and that’s why I noticed that man in the back with a horribly deformed right hand.  He couldn’t shake hands, he wanted to always be covered up, he preferred the back row, and he couldn’t hold even a cup.  Kids would look at him and laugh.  Wouldn’t you think that those in authority at the synagogue would want this man made whole?  Wouldn’t you think that anyone, for that matter, would want their friend or neighbor made whole?  My heart ached at the narrowness, jealousy, pettiness, and self-absorption of these leaders.  What true life and real spirituality they were completely missing!

Sometimes in healing a person is required to really see clearly the problem, and admit it, and go for the healing no matter what.  In this situation, I asked that man to come forward, so everyone could see his deformity.  And then I went a step further, as I told him to really stretch out his hand for all to see.  He could have been afraid of the leaders, or afraid of embarrassment, or afraid of being ostracized if he followed my words.  But the hope of restoration drove him to stretch out his hand as he went way out of his comfort zone.  Note also that he didn’t ask for healing; I took the initiative when I saw him.  He had to decide whether to remain in the shadows of suffering or come out into the light for healing.  The Grace of healing was available to him!

You may have a friend that needs my touch.  Leave it to me, though, to choose the right day and hour, and the right manner and method.  Concentrate on asking for healing for your friend; I’ll do the rest.

Or you yourself may be deformed in some similar way, and would desperately like to be made whole.  I do indeed see you, and when I invite you out of the shadows and into the light, I hope you will agree to step forward.  There is healing available at the sound of my voice; all you have to do is walk a few steps forward toward me!

I really like you, and I really love you!


PAUSE … Invite Him to be with you; let Him quiet you with His Love.


REFLECT… What is God saying to you?

1) In what way(s) do you perceive yourself as deformed?

2) When Jesus sees you, does he have restoration in mind?

3) What are the few steps you might be asked to take so the healing can begin?

4) What was easier to heal: a shriveled hand or a shriveled mind?

5) How much did the narrowness of mind of the leaders hurt and disappoint Jesus?

6) The man had to come to the front and everyone could see his hand.  Can you similarly expose all the hurts         you have as you stand before Jesus?

7) What kind of leader would be "deeply distressed?  What do those words tell us about Jesus? 


RECEIVE … He's calling your name now.  This is the best chance for a life-changing healing.  Time to move from our seats in the back to the front, where Jesus is!  Time to obtain free and abundant Grace!

​
Click HERE to return to "Week 8 Outline"

Click HERE to go to the next page "Wounded Hearts Think Wounding Thoughts".