A Story Of Hands

Hanging above my office chair is a drawing entitled, “Hands.” It was drawn by an artist in Rochester, MI. The “hands” in the drawing are of many different sizes and shapes; some are little, representing small children; some are LARGE, representing adults; some scarred representing hard work or accidents; some appear as though they have never been soiled. The hands in the drawing tell the story about how all hands are different, how important they are, and what they might be used for.

The hands of Jesus tell a story, too. He used His hands to hold the tools of a carpenter and turn pieces of wood into dwellings or useful objects. He used His hands to offer hungry people a piece of bread and fish. He used His hands to hold small children and bless them. He used His hands to touch the eyes of the blind and restore their sight. He used His hands to open the ears of the deaf. He used His hands to quiet the raging seas. He used His hands to point people in the direction of the Kingdom of His Father.

He never used His hands to make a fist so He could harm someone. He never used His hands to grasp things from others. He never used His hands to point people in the wrong direction. He never used His hands to do anything that was evil. He never used His hands to strike others. He never used His hands to push people away from Him.

One fateful day those giving, healing, helping hands were painfully pierced and nailed to a cross. Pierced but not clenched in an angry fist but open, appealing, and accepting. His hands were on the ends of arms that were reaching out in love to a lost and dying world, saying, “Come to me. I love you and want to give you eternal life.” 

The Psalmist wrote, “They pierce my hands.” Now, we know why.

Prayer:  Thank You, Father, for loving and reaching out to us with hands that were pierced because of our sins. May we gratefully accept Your invitation. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today: They have pierced my hands and feet. Psalm 22:16b