One special Sabbath, traveling through a field, Jesus and His hungry and tired followers stretched out their hands, plucked and ate some of the ripened heads of grain. “Look!” noticed a nearby band of Pharisees. “Your disciples are doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath” (Mathew 12:1-14). This twisting of the facts was a frequent fixation of the Jewish hierarchy in Jesus’ time. Pharisees made a profitable business of faultfinding, in an effort to protect the masses from breaking the Law of Moses. This self-righteous sect used the law as a whipping stick—neatly keeping folks under their control—to Rome’s delight.

Jesus was quick to respond, “Haven’t you read what David did when he and his companions were hungry?” He was referring to the Old Testament record of King David’s eating the bread of the presence when he and his men were starving (1 Samuel 21:1-6).

Experts in Hebrew tradition and God’s commandments, the Pharisees either missed this lesson in Jewish studies or failed to see any correlation. Blinded in spirit, corrupted by power and hardened in heart, Jesus' example fell on deaf ears. Worried about protocol the Pharisees were stunned again as Jesus dug deeper: “Haven’t you read in the Law that on the Sabbath the priests in the temple desecrate the day and yet are innocent?” And then a truth, which pierced them all: “I tell you that one greater than the temple is here.” These religious ruling Pharisees immediately sought a way to kill this radical, teacher, prophet or whatever he was.

“God desires mercy,” Jesus continued, “not sacrifice.” There is no condemnation for an empty belly, or for a hand stretched out for bread.

This misdirected mob cloaked in prayer shawls, their beliefs shaken to the core, hurriedly follow Jesus to the temple. Here Jesus chooses this special Sabbath to expose the vivid contrast between human need and legalism, mercy and madness. In this Jewish place of worship teeming with hardness of heart, Jesus beckons one poor soul with a withered hand to step out of the crowd.

“Stretch out your hand,” Jesus said, his words echoing in the temple—yes, on this Holy day, “Stretch out your hand.” The man responds to Jesus’ invitation and his hand is instantly healed. Jesus calls us, “Stretch out your hand. Be healed! Stretch out your hand. Be fed!”

I pray we listen to the voice of Jesus, turn toward the Savior stepping out of the crowd. May we understand what He is speaking into that ancient culture and our own. Stretch out your hand. Look to Christ and learn from Him. Stretch out your hand. Feed a hungry neighbor. Stretch out hands and hearts withered and lifeless. Be renewed by Jesus’ example of love and mercy nourishing your soul—as gentle rain revives parched soil.

Stretch out and live!

Copyright © 2009 by Waters of Life^TM Ministry for Women, Inc., www.wolministry.com