A Withered Hand in the Synagogue 10/26

 A Withered Hand in the Synagogue

Jesus taught in the synagogue on the Sabbath. A man with a withered right hand was also there. The religious leaders watched Jesus closely. They were not hoping for a miracle. They were looking for a reason to accuse Him. Their rules said healing was work, and work was forbidden. They saw the man’s condition as a theological problem, not a personal tragedy.

Jesus saw the man. He knew the man’s suffering was more important than their regulations. He understood the daily struggle of a life limited by this infirmity. That hand could not button a shirt or hold a cup. The man was not a subject for debate. He was a person in need of mercy.

You likely encounter people with hidden struggles every day. They may sit near you, their pain masked by a quiet demeanor. You can choose to look past their exterior and see the person Jesus sees. Their need for compassion is greater than your need for comfort. What person in your life have you been summarizing instead of seeing?

“And, behold, there was a man whose right hand was withered. And the scribes and Pharisees watched him, whether he would heal on the sabbath day; that they might find an accusation against him.” (Luke 6:6-7)

Prayer: Ask God to give you His eyes to see the people around you, not just their problems or their potential to inconvenience you.

Challenge: Identify one person you often overlook. Before the day ends, speak a kind, specific word of encouragement to them.

To listen to the sermon that corresponds with this devotion, click the link: https://www.mbcpb.org/media