My Hand is Whole!

Now He entered the synagogue again, and a man was there who had a paralysed hand. In order to accuse Him, they were watching Him closely to see whether He would heal him on the Sabbath. He told the man with the paralysed hand, "Stand before us." Then He said to them, "Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do what is good or to do what is evil, to save a life or kill?" But they were silent. After looking around at them with anger and sorrow at their hardness of heart, He told the man, "Stretch out your hand." So he stretched it out, and his hand was restored. Immediately the Pharisees went out and started plotting with the Herodians against Him, how they might destroy Him. Mark 3:1-6

Imagine you were the man with the withered hand. Finally the Son of God sees you and wants to help you but your church leaders were very rules oriented and today was the Sabbath. They were in the process of making a new rule, no healing on the Sabbath. What would Jesus do? He had you stand in front of everyone. What if He didn't heal you? Your faith is being challenged by all the goings on and in fact you are frightened. You remember how the Pharisees treated your neighbour because he did not attend the synagogue when expected, they are a vicious lot.

You watch Jesus intently as He argues with the Pharisees and He becomes quite angry with them. What about you? You are feeling very uncomfortable and want to run, but if you run, you may lose your chance.

Jesus turns and looks at you, no anger there, "Stretch out your hand!" He commands! Faith floods your heart and without thinking your hand goes out and look, look it is whole. What joy floods your heart, what gratitude, what praise. Yet your leaders are offended and leave the church.

Your family are there and together you go to Jesus with gratitude. He is warm and loving, not like the church leaders. What a pity they could not see Jesus as you do. Today you have a choice, who will you follow? 

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