Look at your hands and consider their importance. Think about what you can do with your hands. I’m using mine right now as I write to post on the blog. Yesterday I employed my hands in work around my house. They were busy all day dusting, vaccuming the floors, preparing meals, feeding myself, washing dishes and countertops, putting clothes in the washing machine and dryer, folding clean clothes; my hands stayed busy all day. What would I have done without my hands?
I recall times in the past when my hands offered protection and comfort for my children. “Hold Mommy’s hand,” I said as we crossed the street. “Come here to Mommy,” I said when tears fell after falling off their bikes. My hands felt foreheads for temperatures and they spanked little hands in discipline. Two years ago my hands held our first grandchild. What would I have done without my hands?
What did Jesus do with His hands? He opened the book of Isaiah, read from it and pronounced the fulfillment of the Word (see Luke 4:17-21). After healing Simon Peter’s mother-in-law of a high fever, He began laying hands on the sick and healed them (see Luke 4:38-40) He stretched out His hand, touched a leper, and willingly cleansed him (see Luke 5:12-13). On the Sabbath, against the laws of the Pharisees, Jesus told a man with a withered hand to stretch it out and as he did so, Jesus restored the man’s hand (see Luke 6:6-10). His hands fed himself as He ate with sinners and tax collectors (see Luke 5:27-32). He touched a coffin carrying a dead man and said, “Young man, I say to you, arise!” And the dead man sat up and began to speak (see Luke 7:12-15). He handled five loaves and two fish, blessed and broke them, and fed a multitude of people (see Luke 9:16-17). Jesus prayed continuously and I’m sure He lifted His hands in praise to His heavenly Father (see Luke 6:12, 9:18, 10:21, 11:1-4). He took a cup and some bread, gave thanks, and instituted what we now call Holy Communion (see Luke 22:17-20). That very night He used His hands to wash His disciples’ feet, teaching them about servanthood (John 13:3-5). He allowed the Romans and Jews to crucify Him, extending His hands to be nailed to the tree (see Matthew 27:35, Mark 15:24, Luke 23:33, John 19: 5-19). Jesus utilized His hands in service. He accomplished His work with His hands.
The risen Christ appeared to His disciples, startling them saying, “Peace be to you. Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? See My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself; touch Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.” He showed them His hands and His feet and He asked for something to eat. The disciples gave Him a piece of broiled fish, He took it, and ate it. Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures and all that had occurred to Him. He declared them witnesses and told them that once they were clothed in power, they would be sent forth to tell others the good news. Before He left them, He led them out to Bethany, lifted up His hands, and blessed them. Then He ascended to heaven, leaving them worshiping Him and praising God continually in the temple (see Luke 24:35-53).
Are you having doubts about the work of Jesus’ hands upon your life or that of your children? Just as Jesus used His hands to pour out blessings on many people, including His disciples, He also does the same for us. God’s word tells us about His work for us in heaven.....but He, having offered one sacrifice for sins for all time, SAT DOWN AT THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD, waiting from that time onward UNTIL HIS ENEMIES BE MADE A FOOTSTOOL FOR HIS FEET. For by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified. Hebrews 10:12 (NASB) Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. Hebrews 7:25 (NASB) Jesus, the great High Priest, sits in glory at the right hand of God and prays continuously for us. Now that’s good news! God even foretold this good news to the Israelites through the prophet Isaiah.
“Can a woman forget her nursing child
And have no compassion on the son of her womb?
Even these may forget, but I will not forget you.
“Behold, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands;
Your walls are continually before Me. Isaiah 49:15-16 (NASB)
And have no compassion on the son of her womb?
Even these may forget, but I will not forget you.
“Behold, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands;
Your walls are continually before Me. Isaiah 49:15-16 (NASB)
The names of the tribes of Israel were inscribed on the stones on the ephod of the priest (see Exodus 28:9-12). Once the priest was in the temple, God would be reminded of His covenant with Israel when He saw the engraved names on the ephod. In the same manner, God sees our names inscribed on the palms of the hands of our great High Priest Jesus, who sits at the right hand of God, and He remembers His promises to us. Our names and those of our children are forever before God and His thoughts are focused on our welfare.
Many, O LORD my God, are the wonders which You have done,
And Your thoughts toward us;
There is none to compare with You.
If I would declare and speak of them,
They would be too numerous to count. Psalm 40:5 (NASB)
And Your thoughts toward us;
There is none to compare with You.
If I would declare and speak of them,
They would be too numerous to count. Psalm 40:5 (NASB)
His holy hands, pierced for our sins, always embrace remembrances of us. Those same hands guide, protect, and even discipline us. Why should we have any doubt about the work of His hands in our lives or even the world? After all, the song says “He’s got the whole world in His hands.” What would we do without those hands! Thank you, Jesus!
