559. MAT 12:10-13. THE RESTORATION OF THE WITHERED HAND
Mat_12:10-13. The Restoration of the Withered Hand
"And, behold, there was a man who had his hand withered. And they asked him, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath-days? that they might accuse him. And he said unto them. What man shall there be among you, that shall have one sheep, and if it fall into a pit on the Sabbath-day, will he not lay hold on it, and lift it out?" &c.’97Mat_12:10-13.
It is impossible to read the miracles of Christ without being struck with the vain and hypocritical spirit which the scribes and Pharisees often evinced. When they could not deny the miracles Jesus wrought, they endeavored captiously to wrangle either with the manner or time: in which they were wrought. Hence often they are introduced as appealing against the Saviour exerting his almighty arm on the Sabbath-day. Their regard to that, seems to have greatly outweighed their love and compassion to the afflicted and miserable around them. This was the case with the man whose hand was restored on the present occasion. Jesus met their false and hypocritical reasoning by distinctly stating that it was lawful to do well on the Sabbath-day, and illustrates it by the beautiful simile, of delivering a sheep from a pit into which it might have fallen on that day, Mat_12:11. And if they did not doubt the propriety of this, how much more proper still was it to do good to man, who is of so much more value than a sheep. At present, however, we have to do with the miracle Jesus wrought on the occasion. Observe,
I. The affliction stated. It was evidently one of paralysis. The man’s hand was withered. It is supposed that the whole arm was affected, and Luke says it was his right hand. Doubtless this would prevent the man from laboring for his daily bread. So that it is probable he was poor and destitute as well as afflicted. These often go together. The lame and the diseased should ever excite our commiseration, and elicit all the help we can afford. When Jesus saw the man, he compassionated his state, and purposed to restore him. Observe then,
II. The miracle which he wrought. The Saviour,
1. Issued a command which it seemed impossible to obey. "He saith to the man, Stretch forth thine hand," Mat_12:13. The hand being withered had long since ceased to obey the volitions of the mind, therefore it would appear in vain to give such a direction. But the Saviour’s commands ever involve the idea of ability for their performance. Yet here unbelief might have cavilled, only faith would be found ready to obey. But observe,
2. The man wished to do Christ’s bidding, and the power was given. He did not reason, nor cavil, nor doubt. But when he heard the mandate of the Saviour, his heart rejoiced in it, and he made the effort, and lo, it was stretched out. It is clear that this power was not inherent in him. That he could not have done it, until the Saviours’ command had been given. It was the power of God harmonizing with the faith of the man. The ability of the Saviour put forth in the workings of the afflicted man’s faith.
3. The happy result. "It was restored whole, like as the other," Mat_12:13. Circulation now was restored,’97the living fluid flowed in its wonted channels,’97the paralysis was removed, and the hand became whole,’97so that in the power of use, and in its appearance, it became like as the other. Observe,
(1.) In this cure we see the gracious disposition of Christ to restore the man. And this the Saviour feels towards all the perishing children of men. He wills not the final ruin of any. He desires the salvation of all men. His love embraces the wide world,’97his atoning sacrifice included in its sufficiency and design every creature. In the gospel, Jesus expresses his love, publishes it abroad, and invites all men to partake of it.
(2.) We see the miraculous power of Christ. By his word he healed him. He spake, and it was done. He thus possesses all power to deliver from sin and guilt, and to restore to the image and favor of God This power extends to all sin and to all sinners. O yes,
"He is able’97he is willing’97
Doubt no more."
(3.) We see the influence of faith. An apparent impossibility was enjoined. But. to faith it was possible. The man had a warrant and he obeyed, and in the willingness to obey, he found the power. Faith has no inherent power,’97it derives all its energy from the word it believes,’97from the Saviour on whom it relies,’97from the power on which it trusts. It is the creature of weakness laying hold on God’s strength, and then all things are possible.
(4.) We see an emblem of the converted sinner. Instantly restored, as the instantaneous work of conversion is effected. Perfectly restored as in conversion,’97old things pass away, and behold all things become new. Now the man could use his hand and work for his bread, and now the converted soul can labor for the bread that is imperishable, and do the bidding of his God and Saviour. Learn,
(5.) That our inability is not a sufficient excuse for our sin. We are depraved, actually guilty,’97true, and more, we cannot change our own hearts, or cleanse our own consciences. But can we hearken to Christ’s gospel? Can we be found in the way of his appointed means? Can we come to the fountain opened for sin and uncleanness? Can we endeavor to do Christ’s bidding, and believe in his name? If so, his power shall be exerted, and our restoration effected. To devise a remedy we cannot,’97but to try Christ’s gracious saving plan we are invited, and this being done, our cure is certain. We cannot meritoriously work out our own salvation,’97but we can receive it as the free gift of God, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Then let the sinner feel his responsibility, and delay not to come to Christ to be made whole.
"Remember him who once applied,
With trembling for relief’97
‘Lord! I believe,’ with tears he cried,
‘Oh, help mine unbelief!’"
Autor: JABEZ BURNS