Matthew 12:13
Then saith he to the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it forth; and it was restored whole, like as the other.
Matthew 12:13
Jesus commands the withered man to stretch out his hand, and it is restored. This decisive act demonstrates authority and the tangible outcome of mercy. The visible healing validates Jesus’ message and reveals the breaking-in of God’s kingdom into present reality.
The restoration of the man’s hand embodies the in-breaking of God’s restorative power. It confirms Jesus as the agent of God’s mercy, fulfilling prophetic expectations of healing and redemption. It also invites reflection on what “withered” areas in our lives might need Jesus’ touch—physical, emotional, relational, or spiritual.
Think about areas of life that feel “withered”—relationships strained, sins entangled, or hope diminished. Invite Jesus to stretch out his healing power in those spaces. Practical steps: pray for healing, seek medical or pastoral care, practice forgiveness, and pursue restoration in damaged relationships. Let mercy drive action, not self-righteousness.
Cross-References: Isaiah 35:5-6; Luke 6:19; James 5:14-16