Healing of the Man with a Withered Hand

The word shriveled is a word that denotes a hopeless situation. It was a withered limb that couldn’t be used. It probably was not used by the man for a long time and thus had gotten him accustomed to life without that hand. Jesus noticed his condition and decided to heal him publicly, in front of His accusers. His command to the man sounds almost like an oxymoron because of its impossibility.

How does one stretch out what is shriveled and lifeless?

The beauty is in the demonstration of the man’s faith in how he responds obediently and stretches his hand out. It wasn’t a partial restoration but a complete one.

How many times have you thought of certain aspects of your life as completely withered and incapable of restoration? It could be a particular relationship, career option, health concern or inner turmoil.

If Jesus were to ask you, in faith, to stretch that dead part of your life out to him, would you do it?

The prophet Ezekiel has a vision of a valley filled with dry bones, and how God’s Spirit breathes into them, bringing them to life and raising them into a strong army. While this was written to encourage the exiled Jews, it is a promise for those of us who have the Holy Spirit in us, thanks to our salvation through Jesus.

It is possible for every area of our life that was previously barren and unproductive to now be fresh and life-giving thanks to the Holy Spirit’s breath upon it.

It will feel new, uncomfortable and maybe even painful but the One who meets you is the source of resurrection life. He can raise to life the most dried out and dead things that we hand in faith to Him. Will you take a chance and do that today?