His Hands

I remember during a mission trip learning a simple skit that demonstrated the positive and destructive ways the hands are used to build or tear down. Wound or heal. Help or hinder. Hands to hold or release. Hands to embrace or push a person away. They can beckon to come near or stop one from approaching.

Jesus died with outstretched arms. His heart unprotected, defenseless, He was suspended between heaven and earth. Bloodied hands pierced and pinned by thick crude nails to an unforgiving cross.

How many sins have been committed with the hands? Murder. Stealing. Gross sexual sins. Abuse and neglect. Touching things that are holy only to pollute them. Horrors of war and other acts of violence. Hands that slam the Word of God shut in defiant act of silencing His voice. Hands opening doors best kept locked and other doors that should never have been sealed shut.

Thomas refused to believe Christ rose from the dead unless he saw and touched those same nailed scarred hands (John 20:25). later, Jesus appeared and spoke to Thomas, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe." (verse 27, NIV). Thomas not only desired to see Jesus but his hands wanted to connect to the skin of the Savior.

Sadly, so many believers are trying to "see" Jesus through the extension of the hands like one without sight to see and feel the impress of Christ's lovely face.

Until that glorious day, we see Christ on the faces of those in the church.

"Look, he is coming with the clouds," and "every eye will see him, even those who pierced him"; and all peoples on earth "will mourn because of him." So shall it be! Amen. (Revelation 1:7, NIV).