Journey 12-5-07

“Then he said to the man “Stretch out your hand.” So he stretched it out and it was completely restored, just as sound as the other.” Matt. 12:13

You ever get the feeling that your pastor has been spying on your life? Now I know that he is just preaching through the book of Matthew but the last two weeks the messages have been tailor made for this very point in my life. Last week the message was on rest. This week the message was on the mercy of God and approaching God with our weaknesses. Here is a VERY brief abbreviation of the point that hit home for me.

Jesus knew that the Pharisees were seeking to accuse him. Did he care that it was a trap? No! Jesus was merciful above all! He cared about this man when the religious leaders only saw him as a pawn. What about this man with the shriveled hand? How did he feel suddenly being put on the spotlight in a showdown between Jesus and the Pharisees? Did he try to hide his weakness? Was he too embarrassed to make his hand a public spectacle? No. He allowed his own weakness to become center stage while looking to Jesus.

It is important that we as believers don’t put on masks and pretend that we have it all together. We are redeemed but still being transformed. We must be real and honest so that the world around us can truly see the mercy of Christ at work in us, for the Lord tells us that “My grace is sufficient for you, my power is made perfect in weakness*.” So then we can each boast all the more gladly about our weakness, so that Christ’s power may rest on us and so that all may see that He deserves the glory.

*2 Corinthians 12:9b