By Elijah Cheney
Matthew 12:13
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.
This miracle of Jesus is often overlooked, perhaps because it does not seem as dramatic as raising the dead or feeding thousands with only a small amount of food. Yet, Jesus didn’t perform this miracle to impress, but to teach. He was in the synagogue, surrounded by people who were listening closely to His words and watching His actions. A man with a withered hand was among them. The Pharisees were also present but were not there to learn. Hoping to catch Him in a trap, they asked Jesus, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?” Jesus clarified that it is always lawful to do good. He then healed the man’s arm on the Sabbath which reinforced His point.
What makes this moment especially powerful is that the man with the withered hand never asked Jesus to
heal him. Many people requested help or healing from Jesus, but this man was content to stand there and simply listen to what Jesus had to say. He may have hoped for healing, but he did not demand it. Instead, Jesus came to him and told him to stretch out his hand. In complete obedience and trust, the man did so,
and his hand was fully restored.
This miracle reminds us that Jesus sees us even when we do not speak up. He meets us in our quiet faith and calls us to trust in Him even though it may be difficult. While this miracle may not seem thrilling or impactful to many, it most definitely was for this man.
Pray with me…
Dear God, help us to trust that You know what is best for us. Although our problems may seem insignificant, we know You care about them. Allow us to be like the man with the withered hand, ready to listen to what You have to say, even when our lives are not going according to our plans. In Your name we pray, Amen.