Life & Teachings of Jesus - Day 12

The Pharisees spent a lot of time trying to prove Jesus was a big phony. We can understand that kind of cynicism. Movie magic can make heroes with big muscles appear to fly, spit bullets, and survive explosions. But if we saw those stunts in real life, we’d never believe it. We’d be looking for the special effects crew.

The man with the shriveled hand sat outside the temple begging—impoverished, hungry, humiliated—until Jesus came. The Pharisees may have thought Jesus was a charlatan, but that man with the new hand knew him as restorer. Not only did Jesus give him a strong hand, he gave him the ability to work, support himself, and look his fellow man in the eye. What has Jesus done for you? Who is he to you?