Clothesline 289 "Body of Christ: Hands"

Lent is a reminder of the sacred gift we were given when Jesus gave himself up for our sinfulness, and that gift is eternal life. The story of Abraham and Isaac comes to mind.

‘Abraham! Take Isaac your son and go.”

“Where are we going, Lord?”

“Over there. Up that mountain and you will offer a sacrifice.”

“Father, I have cut the wood for the burnt offering, but what are we going to offer?”

“Don’t worry, my son. The Lord will provide the sacrifice.”

And when they reached the mountain:

“Abraham. Take Isaac in your hands, bind him, lay him on the altar, raise your hand over him, and make him an offering to Me, your God!”

Abraham obeyed. And then God said,

“Abraham! Do not lay a hand on your son,…now I know how much you love me, for you were willing to hand over to me your only son.”

God tested Abraham’s faith and trust, and God rewarded him. Abraham’s hands of obedience…God’s hands of promise and love….

Hands. How difficult our lives would be without our hands. They are delicate in many ways, so many tiny bones, and yet they can accomplish much work in a lifetime. Jesus’ hands began like our, soft and fragile. Then they probably became rough and calloused from working in Joseph’s carpenter shop. Perhaps he had a bruised thumb more than once from hitting it with a mallet. When he went out into the world, those same hands held little children and healed many whom he touched. And you can be sure he lifted his hands to His Father in prayer.

As Jesus walked the road to his crucifixion, a woman used her hands, pushing her way through the crowd in order to wipe the dirt, sweat and blood from Jesus’ face. And Simon the Cyrenean used his hands to help Jesus carry his cross. I’ve often wondered if Simon knew the magnitude of his actions, and when he took the cross from Jesus, did their hands touch?

One way we use our hands is to take up our cross and follow Jesus. He never said it would be an easy cross to carry, but he said he would carry it with us. During this season of Lent, be reminded that Jesus walks the road beside you and there is nothing you can’t carry together.