Stretch out your hand.

Here is Elam’s story…

It was just another day in our small town synagogue. It was Shabbat, and we had gathered to listen to the reading and praise Adonai according to the precepts and instructions of the Law.

I liked going to the synagogue very much because I wanted to get closer to God, even though sometimes I felt judged by others because of my physical impairment. I had a withered, completely immobile hand. It was a birth defect that had marked me all my life. Several people had suggested that it must've been a punishment from God for some sin my parents had committed, which made me feel even more unworthy.

Quite a large group of people came into the synagogue. It was unusual to have many visitors in our little town, so it looked like it would be an interesting day. You can't imagine how interesting it got!

One of those people looked like a teacher; I later found out that His name was Jesus. He came to me, asking to see my hand, while the Pharisees conducting the ceremony began to be scandalized by this unexpected disturbance Jesus was causing. They asked Him all kinds of questions and threatened Him, saying that He could not heal on the Sabbath.

Jesus replied, "'Is it lawful on Sabbath to do good or to do harm, to save life or to kill?'" (adapted from Luke 6:6-11, NKJV) I have to admit that I'm not a teacher of the law, but Jesus' words seemed to make so much sense!

Then He prayed for me and asked me to hold out my hand. I couldn't believe my eyes! The withered appearance of my skin gradually disappeared until it looked the same as the rest of my skin. When I tried to stretch out my hand, I saw that it was mobile, and my bones and muscles began to fall back into place until my hand was fully restored!

The Pharisees rebuked Jesus and told me to turn away from Him, but I couldn't listen to them. I was out of touch with reality: I was overwhelmed by my restored hand and beaming with joy! I had two fully functioning hands! Jesus had removed the deformity that had marked me all my life, that humiliating limitation. My life will never be the same again, and what I want most of all is to use my hands and my whole being to serve the One who saved me.

My name is Elam, and I have been chosen by Jesus.

Bible references: Luke 6:6-11

Perhaps you, too, have scars, wounds, and traumas that have marked your existence and made you feel worthless. But God wants to restore you. He wants to give you healing so that you can rise up with renewed strength, aware of the great value you have in Him.

You are Chosen to be a Miracle!

Christian Misch