Midweek meditation

                                  He looked around at them all, and then said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” 
                                                  He did so, and his hand was completely restored.      Luke 6:10 

Luke 6:6-10 is the story of a man in the synagogue with a shriveled or withered hand. The background of this event is the Pharisees are trying to catch Jesus breaking the law by ‘working’ or healing on the Sabbath. Jesus responds to them with a rebuke. He heals the man in front of all.

 We know nothing about the man, how he dealt with his disability or whether it affected his relationship with God of other people. We do know what Jesus asked of him; Get up and stand in front of everyone (6:8) and stretch out your hand (6:10). Jesus is asking him to publicly offer up his struggle to the mercy of God.

 Are you willing to listen to that call? Jesus is asking you to openly stand up and offer your withered limb, your sinful nature, that which you most want to hide to him. Too often we hide our sinful nature from everyone, including ourselves, We are far more willing to offer our good hand to Jesus. He doesn’t want it. He asks for you to be open about your transgressions so His power and healing can be shown through your weakness. Stand up, acknowledge your sinfulness and let his grace and mercy be shown to all the world through you. Let him create a miracle in you.