Focus: Stretch Your Hand

Text: Mt.12:13.

"Then saith he to the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it forth; and it was restored whole, like as the other."

In the Gospel of Mark chapter 3, the first command Jesus gives the man with the withered hand is, "Stand forth," and then, "Stretch forth."

Stand forth means step out as to be seen by all. Jesus wants to make him a public spectacle of his limitless grace and power.

The authority to forgive sins also makes healing and restoration possible. God's people believe God forgives their sins, but find it hard to accept that He equally heals miraculously, even without the means of experts.

That impossible situation in your life can be dealt with. What is impossible to you is possible to God. Wherever the impossible exists in your life presupposes the necessity of God.

Do what God is telling you to do. Simply step out and stretch that withered hand or whatever it is. Believe God for the impossible. That hand is lifeless and powerless, but at the order of Christ you can stretch it. That hopeless case can be reversed. It seems senseless attempting the impossible, but Christ knows how to make sense out of nonsense.

The man was healed as soon as he stretched his hand in obedience to Christ. Listen to me: your obedience to Christ will pay off. Step out of that crowd and stretch forth your hand. God cares for you. He wants you wholly restored. Amen.

by Bishop Moses E. Peter