THE HAND, A SPECIAL GIFT FROM GOD
Many times we enjoy blessings from God and never thank God for those blessings. Have you ever thanked God for the blessings of your “hands?” The terms hand and hands are used many times in our King James Bible. The word “Hand” is in 1,411 verses and the word “Hands” is in 458 King James verses. The Bible even talks about the “hand of God.” That exact expression is in 16 verses in our Bible. The expression “the hand of the Lord” is in 39 King James verses. It is interesting that the expressions “hands of God” and “hands of the Lord” are not found in our Bible. The hand is a picture of power. In Peter 5:6 we read, “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time.” God’s hand can be “mighty” either to punish or to exalt. At the right hand of God, is the place of honor, power, and happiness. “Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.” (Psalms 16:11) The goal of our spiritual journey is described in these words, “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.” (Colossians 3:1) Consider these examples of when the word “hand” is used in our Bible.
A man with a withered hand: In Mark 3:1-5 we read this account, “And he entered again into the synagogue; and there was a man there which had a withered hand. And they watched him, whether he would heal him on the sabbath day; that they might accuse him. And he saith unto the man which had the withered hand, Stand forth. And he saith unto them, Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath days, or to do evil? to save life, or to kill? But they held their peace. And when he had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, he saith unto the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it out: and his hand was restored whole as the other. (Mark 3:1-5) Jesus is Lord of the Sabbath. This and other miracles prove Him to be the Son of God. It is a pity but there are men, women and children today who have withered hands. This man was blessed in that he was healed by our Lord. The Lord commanded the man, “Stretch forth thine hand.” Today, let us stretch forth our hands for use in God’s service!
Hands that are clean: The expression “clean hands” refers to a godly and pure life. “Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.” (Psalms 24:3-4) Sinners should clean their hands. “Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.” (James 4:8) The entire conduct of a person must be changed. They should cease to do evil and learn to do well. Clean hands are a picture of purity and godliness. “And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood. Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil.” (Isaiah 1:15-16)
Hands with nail prints: The greatest proof that Jesus is the Son of God was His resurrection from the dead. He was, “Declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead.” (Romans 1:4) One of the greatest proofs of the resurrection was His hands with the prints of the nails. “And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them his hands and his feet.” (Luke 24:40) It took the nail scared hands of Jesus to convince Thomas that Jesus was the Messiah. “The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.” (John 20:25) The nail prints in Jesus’ hands provided proof of uncommon clearness and strength that He was risen. Those nail scared hands should also convince us that Jesus is the Christ.
Look at your hands and heart right now. What do you find there? What dwells on your hands and in your heart? Do have clean hands? Do you have a living faith that Jesus Christ is the Son of God? If so it is time to become a Christian now! To become a Christian you must hear the gospel (Romans 10:17), believe in Jesus (John 8:24), repent of sins (Acts 17:30), confess Christ as Lord (Acts 8:37) and be baptized to be saved. (1 Peter 3:21) After baptism follow Jesus in faithfulness as He leads you home to heaven. (Revelation 2:10)
By Charles Box, Walnut Street Church of Christ, P.O. Box 551,
Greenville, Alabama 36037 USA