Sermon # 28 - The Power Of Words Series

A withered hand is healed

We read in Luke 6:6,“And it came to pass on another Sabbath that he entered into the synagogue and taught: and there was a man there, and his right hand was withered.”

In Luke 6:10, we read, “And he looked round about on them all, and said unto him, Stretch forth thy hand. And he did so: and his hand was restored.” (ASV)

As Jesus entered the synagogue on that Sabbath day, in that crowd that gathered there was a man whose right hand was withered. It was therefore remarkable that this man did not allow his disability to prevent him from being at the synagogue, though he may not have been accepted or welcomed by others there. As people greeted each other, he may have hesitated to do so, shying away because of his infirmity. However, it seemed he was regular and consistent in his attendance at the synagogue with the expectation that God could do the impossible in his life. That day when Jesus walked into the synagogue, it was a most joyful day for the man, for at Jesus’ behest, his hand was healed, and restored like the other.

When it comes to seeking God many believers are not willing to persevere. Our persistence must be like Jacob, who would not let go of God until He blessed him. Our tenacity must be like Zacchaeus who did not let his position, height or the crowd hinder him from climbing on to the fig tree with the only thought of wanting to catch a glimpse of Jesus. If we too pursue the Lord with all our heart, and do so consistently without losing heart, in His time the Lord will certainly intervene, and do the miraculous.

In that same synagogue there was a group of Pharisees and Sadducees, who were well versed with scriptures, and were in a position to teach others, but sadly their only aim was to find fault with Jesus.

It is good for us to search ourselves to know the reason why we seek to worship God, probing within to analyze the kind of attitude that we have towards God, and His people. A good example for this kind of attitude is of someone who gets appointed to a job. They usually enter the workplace with much apprehension. However, as months go by, we may notice that the same person could sometimes become quite casual, and even disrespectful, once they get familiar with their colleagues and their surroundings.

Not only could these religious leaders not help the man with the withered hand, but were quick to find fault with Jesus who brought healing to this man. Jesus knew their evil thoughts, but that did not hinder Him from performing the miracle that He purposed to do for the man with the withered hand.

Our singular goal as believers must be to fix our eyes on Jesus, giving all the honor to Him alone, and run with perseverance the race that He has set for us to complete. There are many people even today who are hung up about various traditions like which day the church should meet, how the communion should be observed, so on and so forth, who are just entangled with outer traditions of men, and have no change of heart whatsoever. Paul says it clearly in Colossians 2:16, “So don’t let anyone condemn you for what you eat or drink, or for not celebrating certain holy days or new moon ceremonies or Sabbaths.” (NLT)

In Luke 6:10, Jesus said to the man, “Stretch forth your hand and he did so”. This was a possibility only because there was power in the word of God, to transform what was useless into something beneficial, and to restore any sort of infirmity to wholeness.

The life and ministry of Jesus is a reminder to us as to what God bestowed on Adam when He first created him. When God entrusted Adam with the responsibility to tend the garden, he was invested with the authority by God to do so with just the power of his word.

Those of us who believe in the Lord Jesus are assured in John 14:12, “I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father.” (NLT) On the basis of this word we must desire to be like Jesus, and live the way He lived while here on earth. If we receive the word of God in all its power and authority like the man did, everything that is ineffectual in our life will definitely become productive.

The fig tree withers

We read in Mark 11:12-14, “And on the morrow, when they were come out from Bethany, he hungered. And seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, he came, if haply he might find anything thereon: and when he came to it, he found nothing but leaves; for it was not the season of figs. And he answered and said unto it, No man eat fruit from thee henceforward forever. And his disciples heard it.” (ASV)