Stretch Out Your Hand

Beads of Joy 01-20-10

Stretch Out Your Hand
©2010 James Dacey, Jr. SFO

Hello Everyone,

The more you study scripture and spend time in the word; the more you can clearly see how "good" is always challenged and how the attempt to silence it is constant. Today we study Mark 3:1-6 (The Man With a Withered Hand), Jesus was angry here, hard to believe that I agree. But in verse 5, "Looking around at them with anger and grieved at their hardness of heart," How else can Jesus react to the Pharisees who in their hardness of heart, not see all that was good in all that Jesus did. This whole exchange of words between the Pharisees and Jesus was all a part of the plot to kill Jesus.

There is always a senseless rage that is usually inflamed with hatred when it comes to the desire for evil to destroy what is good. It was here on the Sabbath that Jesus healed a man with a simple command, "Stretch Out Your Hand."; Jesus healed this man in front of everyone sight including the Pharisees. I'm sure aside from complete amazement and shock to what they just witnessed with their own eyes; there must have been envy and jealousy boiling in the hearts of those who hated Jesus. How sad a life that must be lived by those inflamed with evil, death and hatred toward God. Satan has poisoned their soul, we must pray for such people for the price they will pay at the judgment will forever keep them away from God's love and grace.

These Pharisees were very vigilant in pursuing the murder of Jesus. They knew He'd heal this man, they knew when Jesus was in the sight of anyone suffering, that he'd heal them. If these Pharisees were here today I just know they'd most likely belong to a political group that thinks: they know everything, they hate God, and they do all they can to destroy what it good. Jesus indeed had His hands full dealing with such an ungodly group of people. How do we live our lives? Do we honor the Sabbath? Do we do all we can to help relieve the suffering others endure? These are important questions to consider. Are we bold in our faith?

One of the lessons we gained today is that Jesus sacredly keep the Sabbath by doing what is good on the Sabbath. These are my thoughts, but by Jesus doing an "in the face" miracle in front of the Pharisees for them to clearly see, says it all. Jesus shows us that no matter how negative, and no matter how mean some can be when it comes to doing what is good; good can still be attained no matter what. Let us not be discouraged by those who are against our faith. Their harsh words, their attempts to silence us, can not shut us down. Allow the power of the Holy Spirit work in your life, "Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing." John 15:5

Remember Jesus said the world will hate us, because they hated Him first.


Your brother in Christ Jesus & His Most Blessed Mother,
Jim (The Rosary Man) Dacey Jr SFO