A Man with a Shriveled Hand F - 2
The following is meant to give you insight into the Heart of Jesus, 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. Jesus was in the synagogue on the Sabbath, surrounded by religious leaders who weighed themselves and others down with an extremely complex system of religious rules and regulations, all of which had to be scrupulously followed. 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 totally blinded to God’s real heart.
Jesus noticed a man in the back with a horribly deformed hand. The man couldn’t embrace someone, he wanted to always be covered up, he preferred the back row, and he couldn’t hold even a cup with that hand. Kids would look at him and laugh. But Jesus saw the entire picture.
Sometimes in the healing process a person is required to really see clearly the problem, and admit it, and go for the healing no matter what. In this situation, Jesus asked that man to stand up in front of everyone. Everyone could see his deformity. Quite a step out of this man’s comfort zone! And then a minute later Jesus went a step further, telling the man to stretch out his hand for all to clearly see. That man could have been afraid of the leaders, or afraid of embarrassment, or afraid of being ostracized if he followed the simple instructions Jesus gave. But the hope of restoration drove Him.
Note also that he didn’t ask for healing; it was Jesus who took the initiative to heal. The man’s only decision was to decide whether to remain in the shadows of suffering or come out into the light for healing.
Some of us are “deformed” in one way or another and would desperately like to be made whole. Rest assured today that Jesus sees us in the back row, and when He invites us (which is what he does) out of the shadows and into the light, step forward! There is healing available at the sound of His voice; all we have to do is walk a few steps forward toward Him!
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) The man had to stand so everyone could see his hand. Can you similarly expose all the hurts you have as you stand before Jesus?
5) Which is easier to heal: a shriveled hand or a shriveled mind?
6) How much did the narrowness of mind of the leaders hurt and disappoint Jesus?
7) What kind of person would be "deeply distressed? What do those words tell us about Jesus?
He's calling our names now. This is the best chance for a life-changing healing. Time to move from our seats in the back and stand up! Time to obtain free and abundant Grace!