Seeing Jesus - Hands (2)

	What do we see when we examine the hands of Jesus?
	The hands of Jesus are those of a carpenter,  They know hard, dangerous work.  Even though it is impossible to please everyone, they are dedicated to doing the job right.
	The hands of Jesus are those of a fisherman.  They are seeking the right time, the right place and the right method to assure a catch.
	What else might we discover as we consider the master's hands?
	"And they were bringing even their babies to Him so that He might touch them," we read in Luke 18:15-17, "but when the disciples saw it, they {began} rebuking them.  But Jesus called for them, saying, 'Permit the children to come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it {at all.}'" 
	The hands of Jesus are eager to reach down to children.  While the disciples try to keep the children out of the way, Jesus reaches down to them with love and appreciation.
	"And they were bringing children to Him so that He might touch them; and the disciples rebuked them," the passage in Mark 10:13-16 agrees.  "But when Jesus saw this, He was indignant and said to them, 'Permit the children to come to Me; do not hinder them; for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it {at all.}'  And He took them in His arms and {began} blessing them, laying His hands upon them.
	If the hands of the Lord are eager to reach down to children in love and appreciation, what does Christ expect to see when He looks at our hands?
	"Let love be without hypocrisy," Paul advises in Romans 12:9-18.  "Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good.  Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor; not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality.  Bless those who persecute you; bless and curse not.  Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.  Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation.  Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men.  If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men."
	The hands of Jesus are not "high and mighty."  They do not refuse to reach down to little children.  They are extended in love and appreciation.  Jesus expects the same from us.  We are to give preference to one another.  We are to associate with the lowly and not be wise in our own minds.
	The hands of Jesus reach down in love and appreciation.

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	Not only do the hands of Jesus reach down to little children, but they also reach out to friends and others.  The hands of the Lord reach out in understanding and support.
	"And Peter answered Him and said, 'Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water,'" we find in Matthew 14:28-31 as Jesus walks toward His apostles who are in a boat.  "And He said, 'Come!' And Peter got out of the boat, and walked on the water and came toward Jesus.  But seeing the wind, he became afraid, and beginning to sink, he cried out, saying, 'Lord, save me!'  And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and took hold of him, and said to him, 'O you of little faith, why did you doubt?'" 
	Peter starts to go down because of his own fear and lack of faith.  But Jesus doesn't say to him, "You got yourself into this.  You'll have to sink or swim."   The hands of Jesus reach out to hold onto Peter.  They are hands of understanding and support.
	The Lord expects no less from us.
	"Brethren," Paul writes in Galatians 6:1-3, "even if a man is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; {each one} looking to yourself, lest you too be tempted.  Bear one another's burdens, and thus fulfill the law of Christ.  For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself."
	Jesus does not feel that He is too good to reach out to a friend in need.  A Christian should not feel that he or she is too good to reach out with understanding and support.

	The hands of Jesus reach down in love and appreciation.  They reach out in understanding and support.  And they reach up to God in worship and praise.
	The Lord's good friend Lazarus dies in John chapter 11.  Jesus accompanies the two sisters, Mary and Martha, to the tomb.
	"Remove the stone," He instructs in John 11:39.
	When Martha questions this action, the Lord directs her attention toward God.
	"Did I not say to you, if you believe, you will see the glory of God?" He asks in verse 40.
	"And so they removed the stone," the passage continues in verses 41-42.  "And Jesus raised His eyes, and said, 'Father, I thank Thee that Thou heardest Me.  And I knew that Thou hearest Me always; but because of the people standing around I said it, that they may believe that Thou didst send Me.'"
	Even during this difficult time, Jesus reaches up to God in worship and praise.
	Beginning in John chapter 13, Jesus shares with His apostles His deepest thoughts as He prepares to leave them and return to heaven.  In chapter 17 He turns His conversation to God.
	"These things Jesus spoke;" we read in John 17:1-4, "and lifting up His eyes to heaven, He said, 'Father, the hour has come; glorify Thy Son, that the Son may glorify Thee, even as Thou gavest Him authority over all mankind, that to all whom Thou hast given Him, He may give eternal life.  And this is eternal life, that they may know Thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom Thou hast sent.  I glorified Thee on the earth, having accomplished the work which Thou hast given Me to do.'"
	The hands of Jesus are ready to reach up to God in worship and praise.  The same is expected of our hands.
	"Therefore I want the men in every place to pray," Paul instructs in 1 Timothy 2:8-10, "lifting up holy hands, without wrath and dissension.  Likewise, {I want} women to adorn themselves with proper clothing, modestly and discreetly, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly garments; but rather by means of good works, as befits women making a claim to godliness." 
	The hands of Jesus are those of a carpenter.  They know hard, dangerous work.  They do the job right even though everybody will not be satisfied.  The hands of Jesus are those of a fisherman.  With great skill they seek the right place, the right time and the right method to insure a catch.
	The hands of the King of Kings reach down, even to little children, in love and appreciation.  Our hands must do the same. The hands of the Great Master reach out, even to weak people, with understanding and support.  Our hands can do no less. And, no matter the circumstance, the hands of Jesus reach up to God in worship and praise.
	Our only hope is to join Jesus in reaching up to heaven, since God is the only source of truth.  And only the truth will set us free.

Unless otherwise noted, "Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE(R), (C) Copyright The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977. Used by permission."