Stretch Out your Hand

Then he said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” So he stretched it out and it was completely restored, just as sound as the other

Matthew 12:13

If you have never played keyboard before, we will use you as an example. Imagine coming to church on Sunday, the choir had spent the last 3 months rehearsing their song only for the church keyboardist to disappear on a Sunday morning. They waited for him until it was time to sing, and left with no option, the pastor called out publicly and said ‘could you please help us play the keyboard for today?’

I can already imagine you frozen. Then after a few minutes when you finally recover from the shock you’re trying to ask the Pastor about the mix-up. All these not because you don’t want to do it, you just don’t have the capacity to do it. Worst still, you’re probably upset that this man is setting you up for public failure. So, just imagine how this man with a shrivelled hand must have felt. 

“Going on from that place, He went into their synagogue, and a man with a shrivelled hand was there. Looking for a reason to bring charges against Jesus, they asked Him, ‘Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?’ He said to them, ‘If any of you has a sheep and it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will you not take hold of it and lift it out? How much more valuable is a person than a sheep! Therefore, it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.’ Then He said to the man, ‘Stretch out your hand.’ So he stretched it out, and it was completely restored, just as sound as the other.” (Matthew 12:9-14 NIV)

This man, with a hand rendered powerless by his condition, found himself in the synagogue on a day when religious leaders scrutinized Jesus. In the face of opposition and doubt, Jesus didn’t shy away from demonstrating the boundless mercy and authority of God.

The pivotal moment arises when Jesus invites the man to do the impossible – to stretch out his withered hand. Consider the courage required for this act of obedience. The man had no capacity in his own strength to stretch out his hand, but in that very act of obedience, he encountered the miraculous touch of God.

Likewise, in our lives, there are moments when Jesus calls us to stretch beyond our perceived limitations. It may seem impossible, and the world around us might question the validity of our actions, but the Lord asks us to trust and obey.

In the obedience of the man with the withered hand, we witness a profound truth – our act of faith, no matter how feeble, aligns with God’s power, and in that alignment, miracles happen. The man stretched out his hand, and it was completely restored. What a testament to the glory revealed when we respond to Jesus in faith.

Now, back to you. Which of your hands is Jesus asking you to stretch out? Your finances, your marriage, your future, a job? I know you’re thinking ‘I really want to but I just can’t’ Yes you can and you should if you really want to see the glory of God. Stretch out your hand. 

PRAYER

Dear Lord, I know that your word says “Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen”. When you tell me to stretch out my hand, you know I have no capacity in me to do it but you’re simply expecting a response of faith. I believe Lord, please help my unbelief.