Jesus said, "Look at my hands and my feet; see that it is I myself. Touch me and
see; for a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have." (Luke 24:39 NRSV)
I remember a story I read of a Car and Carina who wished to honor the members of their court
with a banquet. They sent out invitations and requested that the guests come with the invitations
in their hands. When they arrived at the banquet the guests were surprised to discover that the
guards did not look at their invitations at all. Instead they examined their hands. The guests
wondered about this, but they were also curious to see who the Car and Carina would choose as
the guest of honor to sit between them at the banquet. They were flabbergasted to see that it was
the old scrub woman who had worked to keep the palace clean for years. The guards, having
examined her hands, declared, "You have the proper credentials to be the guest of honor. We can
see your love and loyalty in your hands."
This woman's love and loyalty was seen in her hands. In the same way, we can see Jesus' love and
loyalty for us in the nail prints of his hands and feet. Take a look at your hands. What do you see?
Prayer: Dear God, thank you for the hands you have given me. Even if my hands are
missing, you have given me a job to do. May my hands demonstrate my love for you and for my
neighbors. Amen.
Written by: Ronald Newhouse, Texas, USA
Wednesday, January 28, 1998