Reach

 I've always loved the image of the Jesus who comes to us. It's who He is. Wherever we're at and in whatever circumstances, He comes. A powerful picture of His love. Love that is active and always reaching out to us. What we tend to overlook in this picture is our response to Him as He reaches for us.

I think we've so emphasized the reaching out aspect of His character that we've neglected our part in all of it. He comes, and we receive. That's true, and there isn't anything we can do to make this happen or make ourselves worthy of His coming. It's all pure grace. He comes to us as we are, but there needs to be a response to His coming. A response that flows out of our will. It's a response based on a decision. We see this take place in Mark 3:5.

Jesus has entered a synagogue and notices a man with a deformed hand. He went to Him and said, "Reach out your hand." The passage says that the man "reached out his hand and it became normal again." Jesus had the power to heal and the man certainly needed healing. That's exactly what Jesus offered him, but to receive it, he needed to respond not only with faith, but with action. As Jesus reached to Him, the man needed to reach for Jesus. He did, and he was healed.

Jesus comes to us, to us and to all of our needs. Even the deepest ones. Even our "deformities." He brings healing and wholeness with Him, and He speaks; "Reach out to Me!" Extend the need, the lameness, the deformity. Present it to Him that He may heal it. His commanding invitation requires a decision by us. A decision that requires action. The invitation is to receive what He offers and the action is to place ourselves in the position to receive it.

Wherever you are, Jesus is aware of you and of your deepest need. He comes, He invites, and He calls you to reach out to Him. To extend your need, all of it, to Him. When you do that, you'll receive what He offers...in full. 

Will you do that? I expect the man with the deformed hand was ashamed of it and tried to hide it. He wanted as few people as possible to know of it. Jesus did. He knows the deep need you may be holding in secret today, what you wish was not, but is. Extend it to Him. Reach to Him as He reaches to you. He will transform it. He will transform you.

Blessings,

Pastor O