A MAN'S HAND MADE WHOLE

Passage: Matthew 12:9~14  

Key verse: 13


1. A man with a shriveled hand (9-10)

When Jesus went into the synagogue one Sabbath day, a man with a shriveled hand was there. A man's hand is his life--he works with it; he fights with it; he plays the piano with it; he caresses with it. A shriveled hand means a shriveled spirit. The Pharisees did not see this man's sorrow. They only saw him as bait to be used in trapping Jesus.

2. Stretch out your hand (11-14)

Jesus ignored the trap. He answered their questions with the truth of God: 'It is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.' He taught them the value of one man. Then he commanded the man to stretch out the hand he had carefully kept concealed. The man surrendered his useless pride and extended his ugly, useless hand. He overcame himself and obeyed Jesus, and he was healed. Jesus risked his own life to help this man.


Prayer: Lord, I stretch out my weakness and ugliness to you. Thank you for healing me--at the cost of your own life.

One Word: Stretch out your hand