Three of the four gospels tell this powerful story about a withered hand. Each makes mention of this miracle, and all three use the same word to describe this man's condition: "withered hand." The term "withered" describes what once held life, but now the life is gone. (Like a flower.) That which was once strong is now fragile and weak. That which was once beautiful is now twisted and deformed.
Not Just Improve but Made New Again
Luke's gospel tells us that not only was this man's hand withered - but his right hand was withered. The hand designed to be functional, effective, and productive has been rendered powerless. That which was meant to be a blessing had now become a burden.
There are many ways that this man's hand could have been made to wither. He could have been hurt, wounded in a battle, or clipped by an accident. Sometimes, things shrivel from lack of use caused by an illness or pain. Jesus never asked what had caused it; he just restored it.
This miracle reveals that Jesus is more than just a teacher and prophet; he is a restorer. Restoration means to make new again. (Not just improve.) Restoration means to renew completely.
In that synagogue, the man with a withered hand made the most significant discovery of his life: that Jesus is in the business of restoring withered things.
Would You Heal on the Sabbath?
But Jesus had to deal with the mentality of those in the synagogue. The condition of this congregation made Jesus upset. The synagogue was designed to be a blessing, a source of life, revealing the mind of God, but this synagogue had become a burden; it had withered. It had become lifeless. There is nothing heavier than lifeless religion. This synagogue was designed to reveal God to the community, yet it failed to recognize its purpose or who Jesus was. It was designed to minister to the needs of the people, yet this man had sat for years receiving no compassion or help. The synagogue had become as withered as the man's hand.
When Worship Conflicts with Action
Mark Link narrates a beautiful story: An old monk prayed all his life for a vision from the Almighty. One day, it happened. As it did, however, the bell rang, signaling it was time to feed the poor who gathered daily at the monastery gate. It was the old monks' turn to share with them whatever food was on hand for the day. The monk was torn between his heavenly vision, which he prayed for all his life and his earthly occupation of feeding the poor. Then he sighed, turned his back on the vision, and went outside to feed the poor. When he returned, the vision was still there. As he bowed in thanksgiving, the vision said, "Had you not gone to feed the poor, I would not have stayed."
Today's reading makes a similar point. When worship conflicts with helping the needy, God wants us to help the needy.
Be a blessing to someone today.
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