Another time Jesus went into the synagogue, and a man with a shriveled hand was there. Some of them were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, so they watched him closely to see if he would heal him on the Sabbath. Jesus said to the man with the shriveled hand, “Stand up in front of everyone.” Then Jesus asked them, “Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?” But they remained silent. He looked around at them in anger and, deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts, said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was completely restored. Then the Pharisees went out and began to plot with the Herodians how they might kill Jesus.

I find this miracle particularly interesting, as I have a small right hand, and my right arm is slightly shorter. So I guess it is a bit personal to me. What I have found over time is that the impact of a small right hand is far-reaching. The right side of my back is tighter, typically, due to less use. This can impact my hips and my ability to move well too.

Jesus found this man and knew of the impact of his shriveled hand. He understood that not only would it be hard for him to make a living, but it would be doubly hard for him. Why? Because the Jewish leaders had decided to treat those with physical ailments and deformities as judged or cursed by God. We see this evidenced in a question here: “His disciples asked him, ‘Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?’” (‭‭John‬ ‭9‬:‭2‬)

Jesus’ answer was compelling: “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him. As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” (‭‭John‬ ‭9‬:‭3‬-‭5‬)

So we see that deformities and ailments come so that God’s work can be clearly seen through us. God has a plan for all of his created children. And his plan is to shine a light unto salvation through us weak vessels, to be our strength in weakness!

Jesus calls out the hypocrisy of the Jewish leaders here, charging them with placing the traditions of the Sabbath higher than the work of God. In essence, they were worshipping the Sabbath instead of the Lord of the Sabbath.

When I place other things such as popularity, gain, traditions or worldly systems above God’s work in people’s lives, I find that I am making those things like a god to me.

Lord, teach me to worship you and you alone. I want to give you my heart each day. I choose to do away the desires for temporary worldly pleasures and replace them with the joy and peace of knowing you for eternity!