“One Pair of Hands” by Elvis Presley

ONE PAIR OF HANDS > four words that captured my heart when the Holy Spirit led me to this video.  And the moment the video started, so did my tears.  6,269,496 have watched and listened to the STORY of Jesus’ hands being STRONG > our strength in times of trouble. 

Many times I watched this video prior to writing this article.  And each time, the Holy Spirit reminded me of scriptures about JESUS HANDS and the PAIN he suffered in those HANDS for me. And, what the CRUCIFICATION and RESURRECTION mean to BELIEVERS.

WHAT DOES “HANDS” MEAN in the GREEK?

While historical scholars are uncertain of the nail placement in Jesus’ crucifixion, or anyone else’s, the Bible simply says that Jesus had wounds in His hands (JOHN 20:25-29). 

The Greek word translated “hands” is cheir, which means literally “hands.”  There is no Greek word for “wrists” in the New Testament, even though some versions translate ACTS 12:7 to say that the chains fell off Peter’s wrists. But the Greek word in this verse is also cheir. 

THE CRUCIFIXION

Finally, the hour of Christ’s death arrived; his mission was completed. JOHN 12:23 And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified. JOHN 10:18 No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down myself.  I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.

His disciples attended “JESUS COLLEGE” for three years. The MASTER at their deposal to question what they did not understand. Yet, they still did not grasp the meaning, as sometimes we do not today. We take our Bible to church, but rarely open it to follow along. We depend on the PREACHER to give us the summary. I have been there and done that. BUT thank you, Jesus, for leading me to Charis Bible College. I now take 2 Timothy 2:15 to heart! STUDY to show thyself approved. Jesus rebuked his disciples in Mark 4:12-15 regarding the parable of the SEED. And he said unto them, “Know ye not this parable? and now will ye know all parables (Mark 4:13)?”

THE BEGINNING OF THE END 

The Messiah’s road to Calvary began with a decision in Gethsemane, a garden at the foot of the Mount of Olives. Jesus prayed three times before he reached his sense of PEACE about what was to happen next. We often feel obligated to move immediately into “Yet your will, not mine,” in our prayers. Jesus prayed THREE TIMES for his strength to endure the pain ahead of him.

While He briefly displayed His power to his enemies in the Garden of Gethsemane … he was questioned as to who he was multiple times even though Judas led them directly to him.

JOHN 18:1-5

1 When Jesus had spoken these words, he went forth with his disciples over the brook Cedron, where was a garden, into the which he entered, and his disciples. 2 And Judas also, which betrayed him, knew the place, for Jesus offtimes resorted thither with his disciples. 3 Judas then, having received of men and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, cometh thither with lanterns and torches and weapons. 4 Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth, and said unto them, WHOM SEEK YE? 5 They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth, Jesus said unto them, I am he.  And Judas, also, which betrayed him stood with him. 

Without hesitation, our Lord chose to lay down his life for us. He willingly went to his death demonstrating His great love for us. HE KNEW the physical pain he would endure but stepped forward. HIS willingness to OBEY his FATHER opened the door for us to receive everlasting life. Halleluiah! BUT, even after his RESURRECTION, though he showed himself to 11 of his disciples, there was ONE who DOUBTED he arose from the dead …

DOUBTING THOMAS 

JOHN 20: 25-29 

25 The other disciples therefore said unto him, we have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in His hands the print of the nails and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe. 26 And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas was with them; then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you.

27 Then saith he to Thomas, reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side; and be not faithless, but believing. 28 And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. 29 Jesus said unto him, Thomas, because thou has seen me, thou hast believed; blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.

The teaching of the RESURRECTION is the one essential truth that separates Christianity from all other religions of the world. MATTHEW 17:23 And they shall kill him, and the third day he shall be raised again. Paul says that the fact that Jesus was resurrected is proof that He is the SON OF GOD. ROMANS 1:4 And declared to be the Son of God with POWER, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead.  

The Messiah’s hands and feet would be pierced (Psalm 22:16), he would have wounds on his hands (Zechariah 13:6), he would become a “curse” for us being hung on a tree (Deuteronomy 21:23, Galatians 3:13)

RESURRECTION IS THE CORE OF THE CHRISTIAN MESSAGE

When we hear the gospel preached, the focus is on the cross. Many times the resurrection is often ignored, assumed, or mentioned only in passing.  The book of ACTS emphasized the resurrection of Jesus, and barely mentioned his death. The apostles were preoccupied with the resurrection and emphasized it. ROMANS 10:9 If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that GOD raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 

Jesus RESURRECTION changed the WORLD. He fulfilled the mission his Father sent him to complete. His obedience at the CROSS – His One Pair of Hands is our entrance ticket into Heaven. Our MansIon awaits our arrival at the end of our days.

BACK TO THE VIDEO 

In conclusion, ONE PAIR OF HANDS formed the sea, made the sun and the moon, every bird, every flower, every tree, the valleys, the ocean, and the sand. THOSE HANDS ARE SO STRONG! He is our ANCHOR THAT HOLDS our hand in times of need.

SO WHEN LIFE GOES WRONG, PUT YOUR FAITH INTO ONE PAIR OF HANDS who healed the sick, raised the dead, calmed the raging storm, thousands of people were fed, said I LOVE YOU!

JOHN 5:19 Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do; for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.

OUR LORD DID ALL OF THESE BEFORE HIS DEATH AND RESURRECTION!

AND THOSE HANDS WERE NAILED TO A TREE!

ONE PAIR OF HANDS, the HANDS of our LORD, JESUS CHRIST, are reaching out to you today.  He awaits your GRASP to love you, comfort you, and see you through the stormy times of your life. The question is: WILL YOU REACH OUT AND GRASP HIS STRONG HANDS?

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