Have You Considered the Hands of Jesus?

by Edie Melson @EdieMelson

In this season of Easter, my thoughts and imaginings have turned to hands. Of course you know what started me down that path. The image of Jesus’ nail-scarred palms are everywhere. But as I reflect on those precious hands, I realize the story of our Savior’s hands begin much earlier. 

I believe we see the power of His hands as He stretched them over the formless void and spoke creation into existence. We saw them as He tenderly shaped His children—man and woman—made perfectly in His own image. Then, with heart-breaking clarity, in my mind’s eye, I can see those powerful hands when they performed the first sacrifice as he provided a covering for His sinful children.

As the centuries progressed, we saw that God sometimes worked through the hands of men like Noah. God used Him to preserve a remnant of humanity when creation went so wrong. In Moses, I saw the power of God when His prophet stretched forth his hands and parted the Red Sea, providing for the salvation of His people. He was there as Joshua defeated Jericho and with Gideon as he discovered his own part in God’s plan. We saw the fingerprints of God working throughout the Old Testament—from Elijah to Elisha, Job to Josiah. He was always present— rebuilding, refining, remonstrating and renewing those He loves. 

Then it happened. God’s Spirit descended and touched a young girl and Mary was with child—destined to give birth to the Son of God. As her time drew near, we saw how God’s loving hands worked through Joseph as he protected his wife, delivered his infant son, and cared for them.

When Jesus began His time of ministry, we once more saw the work of God’s hands. He was everywhere. He touched the untouchables and encouraged a dark world to refocus on God’s light. His hands were love in action, serving and sharing; reaching out and sometimes rebuking; comforting and consoling; protecting and proclaiming—and always forgiving.

Finally, we see the ultimate sacrifice as He stretched out those hands and took the punishment I deserved. His hands were pierced instead of mine. He was the one ridiculed and beaten instead of me. Those precious hands ran red as the life-giving fluid was poured out for me. 

But that’s not the end of the story.

In God’s word, we see how Jesus defeated Satan and death. Proving once and for all His hands are mighty to save. 

He commissioned His disciples to carry on the work of His hands. That command hasn’t changed. Now it’s His people who reach out their hands in His name. We are called to love in action, serving and sharing; reaching out and sometimes rebuking; comforting and consoling; protecting and proclaiming—and always loving and forgiving.

Yes, Easter Sunday morning is a time to rejoice. But it’s also time to reflect and recommit to being God’s hands—touching the untouchables and encouraging a dark world to refocus on God’s light.

Lord, Your right hand is glorious in power. Lord, Your right hand shattered the enemy. Exodus 15:6

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Edie Melson is a woman of faith with ink-stained fingers observing life through her camera lens. She’s a writer who feels lost without that device & an unexpected speaker who loves to encourage an audience. She also embraces the ultimate contradiction of being an organized creative. She knows the necessity of Soul Care and leads retreats, conferences & workshops around the world on staying connected to God. Her numerous books, including the award-winning Soul Careseries & reflect her passion to help others develop the strength of their God-given gifts. Her blog, The Write Conversation is recognized as one of the top 101 industry resources. 

She and husband Kirk have been married 42+ years and raised three sons. They live in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains and can often be found hiking—with Edie clinging to the edge of a precipice for the perfect camera angle and Kirk patiently carrying her camera bag and tripod. Connect with her on her website, www.EdieMelson.com and through social media.