An Outstreched Hand
Eyelids grew heavy, but bodies continued to wiggle and turn. One arm flopped over toward another body, and Big Sister instinctively stretched out and covered the tiny hand with her own. Almost instantly, both girls settled – at peace, holding hands, knowing that this reach out into darkness returned with the reassurance that they were not alone.
This simple act, shared between sisters, melted my mama heart. But in the throes of Holy Week, it also brought forth remembrance of another hand stretched out.
The most likely scenario is that of Jesus, outstretched on the cross. Yet the one that came to mind was just a little while earlier, on the Mount of Olives (taken from Luke 22:50-51):
It’s the darkness of night, and for months you’ve overheard your Master, a high priest, complaining all about this heretic Jesus, culminating now in the plan to finally bring him to justice. The crowd is restless, high on their own lust for vengeance, ready to serve the punishment Jesus deserves for challenging your values and your way of life. You, too, are convinced that this is the right thing to do.
Then you feel the searing pain and a silent roar in your head. Oh, the pain! What happened?
Through the throbbing you hear Jesus declare, “Enough!” And you see a hand reaching out toward you, extending healing. Peace. Love? In an instant, you are whole again, although you sense you will never be the same . . .
Can you imagine what it must have been like to be this servant?
In the midst of his own betrayal – first from friends who could not stay awake to keep watch, and then the ultimate betrayal unto death – Jesus stretches out his hand and reassures an unnamed servant that He sees . . . and he cares what happens to him. And his silly little ear – paramount to the servant, but inconsequential compared to everything else going on in that moment – is worth healing. Because that’s why he came.
To heal.
To restore.
To redeem.
A simple act: an outstretched hand.
Yet it changed the whole world.
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16
Tags: devotional, Easter, hand, Laity Lodge Family Camp, Texas
April 21st, 2011 at 7:42 am
Whoa. What a thought–an amazing perspective.
April 22nd, 2011 at 8:20 am
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April 22nd, 2011 at 3:32 pm
So beautiful. So much to ponder during Eastertide, is there not? Stopping by to say hello and bring Easter greetings to you!