"Looking around at them all, [Jesus] said to the man, 'Stretch our your hand.' So he did and his hand was made healthy. They were furious and began talking with each other about what to do to Jesus." Luke 6:10-11 (CEB)
All of this business started because Jesus perceived a need and was determined to meet it ... on the Sabbath. Actually, there were many needs that Sabbath day; Jesus could perceive the withered hearts gathered in the same space as that withered hand. What he offered could have been healing salve for them, too, but they couldn't receive. Thought they were too good. That they were right.
Secretly, I feel the need to acknowledge what has always bothered me: at first read, the man with the withered hand is almost manhandled for the sake of healing. He didn't ask for it, the Pharisees in the crowd were using his need to bait Jesus, and Jesus called him out without any discussion (or seeming compassion either). That said, Jesus knows he has/is what the man needs. He is what all of us need desperately. And, I'm glad that Jesus doesn't wait for me to call on Him to offer what I need that only He can provide.
Back to the fella and his hand. The lesson that haunts me is hidden in verse 11. They watch this "friend" restored in front of their very eyes and that restoration wasn't just a physical restoration. The healing would, in fact, have restored him to his family, to his faith community, and possibly to work and some new level of civic life. Yet ... they would not celebrate with their friend or praise God as the Source of this healing. They couldn't because they simply couldn't get past the rules that, in their minds, were broken to get to the place of redemption and renewal.
Be honest. It's the rules, mostly unwritten or scribed only in our own minds, that trip us up, too. "She" doesn't deserve the accolades, the attention, the appreciation that she's receiving; "he" shouldn't have been picked or promoted; don't you know who he is and what he's done ... where he's been?! I don't mean the Pharisees thought this fella didn't deserve healing. But again, isn't that what they mean by asserting that the Sabbath and its rules are more important than this broken man. The lesson haunts me because what's hidden in that closing verse is the reflection of my own sin, the sin of believing I know better that God.
Lord Jesus, I am so very glad that you don't wait on me to ask for all that I need. I am forever grateful that you pour yourself out for me and into me that I can know healing and hope for brokenness that I can't even name yet. My brother that Luke talks about ... he reminds me that there is more pharisee in me than I am comfortable admitting. And, so I'm asking ... restore my withered attitudes and hopes and fit me with blinders. Blinders that will keep me keenly focused on your healing presence and no longer distracted by extraneous rules, expectations, and false wisdom that would lead me to believe that I know better. You wisdom is always higher and I yield myself to you. The truth is I want to learn to celebrate all healing, all redemption, and all restoration. Refresh my withered spirit and I can ... let it be. Let it be.
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