Think of how many times in Scripture our attention is drawn to Jesus’ hands. Who know how many people were touched by them? Jesus took Jairus’ deceased daughter “by the hand and said, ‘My child, get up!’ Her spirit returned, and at once she stood up.” To the man with leprosy, “Jesus reached out his hand and touched” him. Instantly he was clean! There were many more that were not even written down (see John 21:25). The touch of Jesus is life-changing.


Shortly before my mom died at 96 years old, I was standing by her bed. As we talked, I thought of the many wonderful gifts I’d known that had come at the work of her hands. “Mom,” I asked, “would it be okay if I took a picture of your hands?” “Sure,” she said. Tenderly taking her hands in mine, I gave thanks for the many times she had used those hands to serve me.


Of all the word pictures that come to mind with regard to hands, we most humbly open ours to hear the great pronouncement of our Lord to us: “See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands” (Isaiah 49:16).