“Stretch out your hand,” Jesus whispered to the man whose hand was withered.
I’m sure the man quickly responded by offering his good hand, thinking to himself, “This one, the Master should be able to use.”
But Jesus observed the lump carefully tucked into the man’s cloak, “The other one,” He gently replied, eyes filled with intention.
Why would Jesus want me to extend this one? It’s withered. It’s shameful. It’s ugly. Yet this was the hand Jesus requested. Through the stretching, Jesus would show the world His ability to use weak and withered things to display His generous love.
And when the man stretched—both his hand—and his heart—were made whole. The Father’s love transformed the wilted, yet extended, gift of himself.
Today, Jesus beckons each of us, “Stretch out—whatever is withered and broken—and discover the intimacy of my power at work in your life.”
What if we accepted that invitation to extend our weakness—and witnessed the mending of a world around us? Jesus doesn’t ask for those things we deem as perfect. Real miracles happen when we offer Jesus—and our neighbor—the gift of our imperfect selves—yet our willing selves. We won’t learn how to trust by merely reading good literature about Jesus’ power. Our trust will grow when we witness His strength amidst the most withered places of our lives.
I pray today you would draw near to him and accept his invitation, “Stretch out your hand.”
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