how many people come into church each week around the world, and don’t understand that if there is anywhere they can find support or help or love or understanding, it should be that same church. but people come in, afraid to expose their pains and fears and weaknesses (because they must be the only ones like this, they think, or feel) they assume that everyone else may have it together. so they sit in back, suffer quietly and go on home, no better for their time.

Jesus met people like this all the time. people that tried to hide in the shadows, who didn’t want to be seen, or who had been told they shouldn’t be seen. and His heart was moved for them. his heart was in pain because of their pain, and He could not allow their misery to go on unaided.

so, in mark 3, we see this man with a withered hand. which today wouldn’t be a big deal. no one would think badly of him for it. but in that time, it would have been seen as something that happened as a result of sin according to their thought. as if the condition wasn’t difficult enough to deal with on its own, he also had a stigma thrust upon him for something that was no real fault of his own. so, he was considered spiritually unclean, he couldn’t really work like he should have been able to, which also reduced his income potential, so he is also materially affected. then there are the daily stares from children, and even adults, to contend with…so it’s no surprise that he was sitting in the back of the synagogue.

Now, Jesus doesn’t call him out to embarrass him, but to publicly restore him in every way possible. so Jesus asks him to extend his hand out, and He then heals the man. now obviously, this is going to make a huge difference in the life of this man. this effort will change everything in his life, even if it doesn’t change his detractors’ view of him.

we meet with people daily who are scarred or hurt to feel as though they carry some sort of stigma for a past action or event in their life. it may have been something of their own doing, it may have been something that life thrust upon them, but no matter what it is, if they have come to God for help, we cannot allow them to sit in the back and hide. we cannot sit with our backs to them, and pretend as though they are not there, or as if they are beyond our help. yes, it may mean spending some time with them. yes, it may mean that we have to put our regular schedules aside for a little while, but for goodness sake, we cannot ignore the hurting in our midst. we cannot assume that it’s all going to be okay for them, and so we don’t need to play any part in reaching out to them.

Jesus never acted that way. He didn’t ignore the oppressed and marginalized, and neither should we. what cruel people we would be, to take part in the greatest joy in life -having our sins forgiven, the Spirit’s presence in our lives, and the eternal glory of heaven to look forward to- but never share it with those who need that hope in life so desperately.

Father, forgive our silence. Forgive our quiet mouths and our self blinded eyes. there are so many out there who need you desperately today, and they have not heard from your people.

Father forgive our indifference when it comes to the suffering of others. soften our hearts, open our ears.

help us to see what You see in the people around us, and to toss our stigmas and worldly opinions aside.

stretch us out, and heal our withered hands, so that we can serve You today, right now.

Lord, have mercy.

Christ, have mercy.

Spirit, have mercy.

amen.