Hand To Man

This is Part 1 of 2 of Lesson 8: The Intensity of His Walk. Click here to return to the introduction of this lesson.

The study guide has an interesting take on the intensity of Jesus’ mission – the helping ‘hand’ He extended to humanity:

For American poet Robert Frost in “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening,” the woods were “lovely, dark and deep/ But I have promises to keep/ And miles to go before I sleep.”

Jesus lived with the constant awareness of the darkness in the “woods” around Him, always deep but never lovely. Like the poet, He constantly was aware of having miles to go before He slept, so much to do in so little time. “I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day,” He said, “the night is coming when no one can work” (John 9:4 NKJV).

When Jesus had finished talking with the Samaritan woman at the well, his disciples came to Him urging Him to eat. But Jesus was clearly on a high from showing her the way to salvation. He responded:

“I have food to eat of which you do not know.” John 4:34 (NKJV)

He was sustained by the joy of bringing others to a relationship with God. And He brought such joy to those around Him.

I really like the following insights from Ellen White:

During His ministry, Jesus devoted more time to healing the sick than to preaching. His miracles testified to the truth of His words, that He came not to destroy, but to save. Wherever He went, the tidings of His mercy preceded Him. Where He had passed, the objects of His compassion were rejoicing in health and making trial of their new-found powers. Crowds were collecting around them to hear from their lips the works that the Lord had wrought. His voice was the first sound that many had ever heard, His name the first word they had ever spoken, His face the first they had ever looked upon. Why should they not love Jesus and sound His praise? As He passed through the towns and cities He was like a vital current, diffusing life and joy. Ministry of Healing p19,20.

Do you think we also could do well to ‘heal’ more than we preach?

And as ambassadors for Christ, are we a ‘vital current, diffusing life and joy’? Do our colleagues and friends see us filled with hope, or downtrodden? (That’s not to say that we can always be ‘chirpy’ – I don’t think God expects this.)

And linking back to the first part of our discussion, I think that we can only diffuse life and joy when we have been given these gifts from God, received during from the time we spend with Him in study and prayer.

This week let us all look for opportunities to reach out a helping healing hand to our fellow man, so we too can experience the ‘food’ that Jesus said His disciples didn’t know.

Have a great week and see you next time.