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Scripture for the day: Matthew 12:11-13 Then He said to them, “What man is there among you who has one sheep, and if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will not lay hold of it and lift it out? Of how much more value then, is a man than a sheep? Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.” Then He said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” And he stretched it out, and it was restored as whole as the other.
Thought for the day: This is, I think, one of the best-known encounters Jesus had with those who followed Him, and with those who didn’t. Or, perhaps this is simply an episode in His life that has struck me hard enough to leave an impression and doesn’t mean nearly as much to you. Either way, this ranks high on my hit parade of the Bible’s best success stories. And why would that be? Because this story of healing challenges our need for the world to make sense. Let me explain.
 Abraham had been promised a son in his extreme old age; God was faithful in keeping that promise. Later, when the boy was nearly grown and ready to take charge of his own life, the Lord told Abraham, “Take the boy and go to my mountain; I want you to offer him up to Me on an altar as a burnt sacrifice.” And Abraham said, “Wait! What? Lord, this makes no sense.” Then he proceeded to do as the Lord had asked of him.
 Isaiah saw a vision of the Lord God, seated on His throne. As a result of that vision, he volunteered to go wherever the Lord might send him to preach repentance to the people. God said, “I want you to go to a bunch of hard-headed sinners who won’t listen to a word. I want you to stay there and preach until I tell you different, though no one listens.” And Isaiah said, “Wait! What? Lord, that makes no sense.” Then he went and fulfilled God’s call.
 One day, God spoke to a young man as he worked his father’s farm in North Carolina and said, “I want you to leave this behind and preach the Gospel of repentance, forgiveness and hope, to as many as I send to you.” And Billy Graham said, “Wait! What? Lord, this makes no sense.” Then he went and shared the Good News with millions around the world. 
 God spoke to a young nun as she knelt in prayer: “I want you to move from this sheltered and comfortable place. I want you to spend your life living with and helping the poorest of the poor. And Mother Theresa said, “Wait! What? Lord, this makes no sense.” Then she moved into the slum of Calcutta and spent the rest of her life bringing the love of God to those whom the rest of the world had abandoned as hopeless. 
 Jesus saw the man with the withered hand the moment He walked into the synagogue. The disciples and the Pharisees must have seen him as well. He was in the spotlight, without a doubt. When Jesus addressed him, he must have been shaken to the core. His family, his friends, his neighbors, were all there. You could have heard a pin drop as Jesus made eye contact with everyone in the room, allowing his gaze to remain on the Pharisees just a bit longer than on the others. “What do you think; is it right to do good on the Sabbath, or not?” looking intently at the man, He said, “Stretch out your hand.” And the man said, “Wait! What? Lord, this makes no sense.” Then he stretched out his hand and it was perfect.
 Imagine for a moment, the pressure this man must have felt. His family was watching. His friends to whom he had professed his faith were watching, and perhaps wondering what he would do, now that his faith was being challenged publicly. The religious leaders, those who could do him great harm if they so desired, were watching. Imagine yourself in his position. “Stretch out your hand,” the Lord has said. “Exercise your faith, be healed, and be a healer to others.” What do you do now?
Now go take on your world.  -  Bill