Hands

And then He told them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone…these signs will accompany those who believe…they will be able to place their hands on the sick, and they will be healed.’ – Mark 16: 15-18

Years ago I was asked to speak to a gathering of church leaders in Bari, Italy.

I know what you are thinking, ‘How does a redneck from south Texas end up speaking in Italy?’

The story gets even better. As it turns out, I was speaking to a group of the highest ranking leaders in the Catholic church. All of the Cardinals from the Vatican were present …

I am protestant. Trained in protestant university and seminary.

And here I was facing the most highly trained, intellectually robust group of people who I have ever
stood before.

Every language in the modern world was represented in this room. I spoke exactly one while the rest of the room each spoke many.

My topic … “Why Catholics And Protestants Must Be Unified As It Pertains To The Evangelism Of The World.”

Perhaps I will share this message another day.

I began in the only way that this Protestant could begin… by repenting.

“I have made fun of you in my past.” I said

“I didn’t understand your rituals, and I was fearful of you and I make fun of that which I fear.”

“I was wrong. I repent. I ask you to forgive me.”

I wept and they wept.

Then I spoke, and heaven opened.

When I finished, the leader of the Fransiscans took my hands, kissed them and blessed them.

I didn’t realize at the time that this was what happens to priests when they are set into ministry.

Their hands are being blessed because of the tasks that they are used to perform. The Lord’s Supper, baptism, weddings.

Catholics understand ritual better than I.

HANDS

Hands … rough and calloused or soft … hands show the stories of our lives.

Hands embrace, show love, perform jobs, do both good and evil.

Hands are symbolic of our lives.

Hands heal.

We generally view healing as being the domain of doctors or high powered traveling people of faith.

But, Jesus said that each one of us was being sent out to lay our hands on all manner of sick people
and healing would follow.

Physical, emotional, mental … all sorts of healing.

THIS IS FOR US TODAY.

Make a list of those who need you to lay your hands on so that they can be healed. Begin with those who you are closest to … spouse, children, relatives, neighbors, friends …  As you see results with this group, ask The Holy Spirit to give you courage to expand the circle to include anyone who needs healing in any area of their life. Trust me, there is a nearly never-ending supply of those in desperate need of what you have in your hands!

Say “yes” to your “royal priesthood” hands.

You have been prayed for today.