Ugly Hands

John 3: 16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son, that whosoever believeth on Him should not perish, but have eternal life. (KJV)

There’s a story that I was told as a child about a woman who had burned hands. Her hands would be described as horrific, and the ugliest hands that one could ever see. She had a beautiful little girl who was around 8 years old. Although the girl loved her mother, she was embarrassed by her mother’s hands. One day, the little girl decided to build up enough courage to ask her mother, why her hands looked so horrible. Upon asking the question, the mother’s eyes began to fill with tears. The girl looked down because at that point, she second-guessed herself as to if she should have asked. However, her mother went on to tell the little girl the story.

          One day, when the little girl was a baby, the mother had laid her in her crib to take a nap. The mother went about the house doing her daily duties of cleaning, cooking, and preparing things for when her husband would come home. However, a fire started in the room, that the baby was in, from a heater that had over heated. The mother didn’t know that there was a fire, until she began to smell smoke. Immediately, she ran to the baby’s room, but the room was engulfed with flames. Determined that she was going to save her baby, she walked in the room and rescued her baby from being burnt. In the process, she burned her hands.

          After hearing this story, the little girl’s eyes were filled with tears. She knew that her mother must have really loved her to take such a risk. She was so sorry that her mother’s hands had embarrassed her. She reached up, took her mother’s hands and said, “Mom, these are the most beautiful hands that I have ever seen.” The girl was never again embarrassed by her mother's hands. 

          This story reminds me of how Jesus came to earth to save us from our sins. He became the ultimate sacrifice in order that we may live. He was betrayed, mocked, spit on, beat in such a gruesome manner that he wasn't even recognizable, and then crucified. He too has the marks as proof for saving us from an eternal death. What more could he have done to show us that he loves us. However, are we too embarrassed to let others know that we're a Christian. Do we run away from truth because we're afraid of what others may say? Are we ashamed to take a stand for what is right despite popular opinion?

          I am so glad that I have a loving Savior who risked himself to save a person undeserving as me. That is the most powerful display of love that anyone can show and give. The Lord is trying to do his best to save EVERYONE from eternal damnation. He already paid the price, but the only thing that we must do is accept the offer. Not only accept the offer, but give of ourselves as a gift of appreciation for what he has done. What so little to ask for such a price that he already paid. We, who have already accepted Jesus are to show our light to others so that they may be saved. Matthews 5:16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. (NIV)

          If you are not saved and you want to accept Christ into your, all you have to do is ask, and he will gladly accept you today. Jesus is love. Jesus is your best friend. Jesus will never leave you or forsake you. Jesus is your Redeemer. I love my Jesus, don’t you?