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Healing of the man with a withered hand: A demonstration of God’s power

By Ernest Onuoha
24 April 2016   |   3:15 am
Healing, deliverance or restoration of one’s health was uppermost in the heart of Jesus during His earthly ministry.
Ernest Onuoha

Onuoha

“The teachers of the law and the Pharisees were watching Jesus closely. They were waiting to see if He would heal on the Sabbath day. They wanted to see Him do something wrong so that they could accuse Him. But Jesus knew what they were thinking. He said to the man with the crippled hand, “Get up and stand here where everyone can see.” The man got up and stood there.  Jesus looked around at all of them and then said to the man, “Hold out your hand.” The man held out his hand, and it was healed”, (Luke 6:7, 8, 10).

Healing, deliverance or restoration of one’s health was uppermost in the heart of Jesus during His earthly ministry. In the passage above, the healing of the man with a withered hand was a demonstration of God’s power. For Jesus had said to the man: “Arise and stand out here, stretch out your hand…” Yes, so that healing may take place, which will be prove of God’s power.

Notice, the man was not only suffering but was shut out from every and any economic activity that could have required the use of his right hand. Today, we could say that this man was suffering from stroke. But it was in this condition that Jesus met him and decided to put smiles on his face. However, this work of mercy did not go down well with the scribes and the Pharisees. Why? They were angry because according to them; must the work of healing take place on a Sabbath day? Of course, they cared more about the law, its regulations and applications rather than a life being made whole by Jesus. It is possible like the scribes and Pharisees the devil and his agents will not be happy if a son or a daughter of Abraham held down by sickness is restored. But thanks to God, the devil will always be a loser. After all, “the son of man appeared to destroy every works of the devil, (I John 3:8).

Fortunately, beyond the anger of the Scribes and Pharisees, Jesus healed the man with withered hand. He was able to do so because He said: “My Father never stops working, and so I work too”, (John 5:17) and also, “I must work the works of Him that has sent me while it is day. The night is coming, when no one can work”, (John 9:4). Remember, God is always on the move and those who are in need will be touched by His power at work.

Therefore, this work of healing is still to be continued in the midst of Gods people. Leaders of various Church congregations should be aware that people whom they look after are suffering variously. There are some under demonic attacks and domination whereas there are some others who may be suffering from one ailment or the other. To such people they need to be free. It is incumbent upon a leader not to be content to occupy an office only (Eph. 4:11) but rather should use his office and gifting of God in his life to bring succor to the people one is looking after. Yes, people need physical and spiritual emancipation so that they can fulfill their destinies and purposes in life. Understandably, God is a purposive God as those He created He had a reason for doing so and that reason must be achieved as planned.

Let it be noted that Jesus in the great commission gave His disciples power to heal and restore people to wholeness, (mark 16:15-18). They power He gave them is to be exercised and not to be commercialized. We are aware that there are charlatans in the ministry who as it were will swindle people through their spiritual “abracadabra” in other to make money out of such gullible persons under their care. But this should not be so. The power given is to be demonstrated and should be accompanied if possible by the laying on of hands. We notice when men of God operating under the power of God lay hands on people especially the sick or troubled they certainly are met at their point of need.

Necessarily, these scriptures told us also that Jesus’ disciples healed people, (Matt 10:1, Acts 3:7-8). Impliedly, the work of healing must go on to enable troubled members of different Church congregations regain their health. Furthermore, it will be a prove that the power of God is still at work in bringing healing, deliverance and restoration to those in need. It is comforting to note that whatever is down (withered) in our lives, businesses, marriages name them by the same power of God at work, shall receive a breakthrough even today.

Ven. Ernest Onuoha
Rector, Ibru International Ecumenical Centre, Agbarha-Otor, Delta State.
Www.Ibrucentre.Org

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