hand hand fingers thumb

hand hand fingers thumb
one thumb one thumb
shrivelled up and numb

one hand two hands
called him up to the front
the pharisees lean forward
to see the sabbath stunt

hand hand fingers thumb
one thumb one thumb
made right and them some

one hand one hand
the healing over and done
by the love of god’s one and only son

the power of jesus to heal amazes me. whether it is cancer or a disfigured limb, jesus has power over this body. the physical world is under his authority. i do not understand why or how it happens, but there have been times where i have witnessed firsthand the healing power of christ. (i have also had more times than i can count where i have prayed and it seems that there has been no change in the situation at all--maybe that is proof that there is no formula)

i love the story that mark shares in the beginning of his third chapter. jesus is in the synagogue again. the pharisees have gathering in the front row, the place of honor…hoping to somehow trap jesus in leading people astray.

enter the man with the withered hand. he was not born this way. a disease has taken hold of his body and rendered his hand useless. jesus has compassion on him…a stone mason by trade, desperately in need of both hands to provide for his family. too proud to beg. he turns to jesus.

jesus asks him to stand. the pharisees get excited…this is their moment. he will heal this man. they will have him trapped.

the plot thickens. is it lawful to do good on the sabbath or to do evil? to save a life or to kill?

stretch out your hand.

hand hand fingers thumb
one thumb one thumb
made right and them some

one hand one hand
the healing over and done
by the love of god’s one and only son

peace to you,
scott