STRETCH OUT YOUR HAND

Passage: Luke 6:6-11

Key verse: 10

NIV

6 On another Sabbath(A) he went into the synagogue and was teaching, and a man was there whose right hand was shriveled. 7 The Pharisees and the teachers of the law were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, so they watched him closely(B) to see if he would heal on the Sabbath.(C) 8 But Jesus knew what they were thinking(D) and said to the man with the shriveled hand, “Get up and stand in front of everyone.” So he got up and stood there.

9 Then Jesus said to them, “I ask you, which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to destroy it?”

10 He looked around at them all, and then said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He did so, and his hand was completely restored. 11 But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law were furious(E) and began to discuss with one another what they might do to Jesus.

Read full chapter
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

A Man with a Withered Hand

6 On another Sabbath, (A)he entered the synagogue (B)and was teaching, and a man was there whose right hand was withered. 7 And the scribes and the Pharisees (C)watched him, to see whether he would heal on the Sabbath, (D)so that they might find a reason to accuse him. 8 But (E)he knew their thoughts, and he said to the man with the withered hand, “Come and stand here.” And he rose and stood there. 9 And Jesus said to them, “I ask you, (F)is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do harm, to save life or to destroy it?” 10 And (G)after looking around at them all he said to him, “Stretch out your hand.” And (H)he did so, and his hand was restored. 11 But they were filled with (I)fury and discussed with one another what they might do to Jesus.

Read full chapter
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

1. A man with a shriveled right hand (6)

Again, it was the Sabbath and Jesus was teaching the Bible in a synagogue. Both Jesus and the Pharisees saw the man with the shriveled right hand. He probably tried to keep it in his pocket, for it was ugly and shameful. With a hand like that, he could not live a normal, useful life. The Pharisees did not care about this man or his inner agony and sorrow. They only wanted to destroy Jesus.

2. To save life or destroy it? (7-11)

Jesus cared about this man. He needed a shepherd's love. Jesus was angry at the false shepherds who wanted to use this man for their own ends. Jesus helped him overcome shame and fear by having him stand up in front of everyone. He rebuked the Pharisees for misuse of the Sabbath. They must save life, not destroy it. They must do good, not evil. He said to the man, 'Stretch out your hand.'--'Expose your life problem and the hidden sorrow in your heart.' He overcame shame and fear, obeyed Jesus, and extended his ugly useless hand. It was healed.

Prayer: Lord, help me to do good, not evil. Help me to work every day to save life, not destroy it.

One Word: Stretch out your hand