Topic(s): Jesus

Many of us have seen or heard about little boys plucking flowers from the earth to give to their adoring mothers. A little known song recounts a similar story of one small boy who came running to his mother with tears streaming down his cheeks and roses in his hands that he had gathered as a gift for her. The tears were shed because he had cut his hands on the thorny stems of the beautiful red roses. The song’s refrain says, “He was showing his love, and that’s how he hurt his hands.”

In my mental images of Jesus I often think about His hands and how He used them out of love for others. With his hands He cleansed a leper (Matthew 8:3). He placed His hands on the tongue and ears of the deaf mute, causing him to hear and speak. With His hands He gave sight to the blind (Mark 8:23). To the failing faith of a sinking man, He extended His hand in assurance (Matthew 14:31). To a maiden asleep in death, His hand had the power of life (Mark 5:41). But at no time were those hands more precious or more loving than when they were nailed upon the cross for you and me. Those bleeding hands, that bloody brow, His stricken back, and that sword pierced body were given as a sacrifice for my many sins. Indeed, He was showing his love, and that’s how he hurt His hands. Let all of us see more clearly the love in the hands of Jesus. He truly loves and cares for you. —John W. Moore
 

“Behold my hands . . . ” —John 20:27

Follow Me

Topic(s): Jesus

The runners in an NCAA cross-country track championship held in Riverside, California, came to a turn that was not well-marked. Mike Delcavo knew the way and waved frantically for the other runners to follow him. Only four did. One hundred twenty-three out of the 128 runners took the wrong turn and lost their opportunity to win the race. Delcavo later said his competitors were laughing as he chose to take what he knew was the right way.

In the spiritual race we are running, the crowd may be small or large, but the size of the crowd is not how we determine the right path. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6). Whichever way He goes is the way we want to go. —Turning Point Daily Devotional

"Follow me . . .” —John 1:43