Hand-y Work

The other day I looked closely at my husband's hands. They have brown spots, scars, and often paint. Between fishing, performing carpentry repairs, prep and painting work—well, the years have taken a toll. His hands bear witness to the life he's leading.

Since this is the Christmas season, my mind wandered…

I wonder what Jesus' hands looked like?

I mean, can you picture the most powerful hands that ever lived? Maybe if we look at how He used them, we can glean a mental picture. Like looking at His hand-y work.

Jesus...

• Trained as a carpenter with Joseph,
• Turned water into wine,
• Healed the deaf, mute, paralyzed, demon-possessed, and lepers,
• Saved Peter from sinking,
• Raised a little girl from the dead,
• Broke five loaves of bread and fed thousands,
• Held little children and blessed them,
• Ate with tax collectors and other sinners,
• Overturned the greedy money changers tables,
• Taught His disciples servant hood by washing their feet,
• Drew in the dirt, while defending a woman caught in sin,
• Broke the bread and poured the wine for the Last Supper changing the meaning of Passover forever.

At Christmas, we joyously celebrate the gift of Jesus' birth. 

But we may forget over 2000 years ago, a young girl kissed the tiny, soft hands of her newborn Son.

I wonder if Mary ever pondered all the different things He'd accomplish with His hands. Did she ever imagine a spike piercing those same innocent hands thirty years later? Or envision that through His nail-scarred hands and resurrection, we'd be spared from spiritual death into eternal life? I wonder.

We may forget His powerful man hands which offer healing and redemption began as tiny baby hands.   You see, His scarred hands bear witness to the sacrificial life He led on earth. His hand-y work for the entire world to see.  

John 1:14, "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only who came from the Father, full of grace and truth."

Do your hands bear witness to the life you lead? Has this season stirred ponderings in you?  Please share.