Salem's staff has once again written a devotional for the Lenten season beginning on Ash Wednesday (Feb. 22) and ending the day before Easter (Apr. 8th). Printed devotional books are available for pick up at Salem.

arleah lorenz

"Another time Jesus went into the synagogue, and a man with a shriveled hand was there. Some of them were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, so they watched him closely to see if he would heal him on the Sabbath. Jesus said to the man with the shriveled hand, "Stand up in front of everyone." Then Jesus asked them, "Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?" But they remained silent. He looked around at them in anger and, deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts, said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." He stretched it out, and his hand was completely restored." - Mark 3:1-5

I'm notoriously bad at stretching. I frequently jump out of bed and go out for a run within 5 minutes of my feet hitting the floor. Even at the spry age of 25, my body hasn't been very forgiving of this habit. While I understand its importance, I loathe the process of stretching. It's slow, painful, and feels like it's more trouble than it's worth. But my ankles would tell me otherwise, as they are a predictable pain point. 

I've found I have some obvious pain points in my life as well - things I have ignored, neglected, or even kept hidden. In Mark 3, Jesus enters the synagogue on the Sabbath and spots a man with a shriveled hand. It doesn't say much about the man, but I imagine he was unassuming, quiet, to himself, maybe hiding his affliction. But Jesus sees him, calls him up in front of everyone, and gives him one simple command - "Stretch out your hand." Easier said than done for a man with a disability, right? Not to mention in front of a crowd of judgmental Pharisees. Nevertheless, the man obeys, and scripture tells us he was completely healed in that moment. 

When Jesus asks us to stretch the shriveled parts of us, it can hurt. In our brokenness, we can believe whatever we are going through is too ugly, too dark, or too complicated for Him to fix. But Jesus is a healer. He heals neglected relationships, ignored sin struggles, hidden doubts and pain we're too embarrassed to show. Jesus sees us when no one else does. He relieves the tension of our afflictions and restores us with His love, grace, and mercy. Where does it hurt? Stretch out your hand to the ultimate healer. 

Jesus, thank You for being our healer. Thank You for seeing our most inward issues and complex pains. Nothing is too twisted or shriveled for You to restore. Help remind us of that daily through Your power and the presence of Your spirit. Let our brokenness be made whole for Your glory alone, Lord. Amen.