Harvey's Hand

This morning, after reading Luke 6:6-11, I took some time to imagine the story. It's such a short story, but there is a lot of emotion--especially coming from Jesus. I wrote it all in my journal, but decided to share it here too (which is also good for revising it as I go) for the few of you who like to bug me about not writing on here enough. Hope you enjoy. :)

Jesus was in the bulletin to preach at the synagogue that week. Of course, that drew a crowd on Sabbath, including Harvey. (I know that is not a biblical name, but I really want to call him Harvey for some reason). Harvey had heard about Jesus, but he didn't know what to make of the stories. All his life he'd been looked down on by religious people. They didn't even know who he was, but they knew he must be cursed to have an ugly hand like that. So they kept their distance, and so did he. Would this religious teacher be any different?

Harvey had learned to manage life pretty well with one hand. He was good at his trade, in good physical condition, and hardly would have thought about his deformed hand if it hadn't been for customers' stares, or the insensitive comments of old acquaintances or friends. He tried to look at the positive side--he had a good wife, a couple of good kids, a decent job. He just felt bad that his family also got treated differently because of him, especially when he was around. So he stopped going to things. He just told his family to go on without him. No more bar mitzvahs, weddings, funerals. No more synagogue. 

That is, until he heard Jesus was preaching. Maybe it was a rumor, but he'd heard this guy actually touched a leper and healed him. Harvey was curious about what this teacher's sermon would be like. He had no intention of talking to him (or anyone), hoping he could slip in late and out early before anyone noticed. Including his family.

Harvey's plan went all wrong when Bob--his loud, obnoxious neighbor--gave him a hard backslap and greeted him a little too loudly at the back when he came in. Everyone turned and stared, followed by a wave of snickers and whispers. Harvey would have just turned around and left right then, but that was also when Jesus stood up, and everyone quieted down real fast as He made His way to the front. 

Harvey's curiosity got the better of him, and he hesitated. He took in the room as his eyes adjusted to the dim lighting inside. He noticed the religious teachers and leaders all stood in the back, arms folded across their chest, eyes darting between him and Jesus. He wasn't sure what was going on, but he could clearly see that they weren't fans of Jesus. Suddenly that made him want to hear this guy even more. As he looked at Jesus, he felt an invitation. This was an easy choice. Be closer to hear Jesus and annoy the heck out of the religious leaders at the same time. He walked up and sat in the front, not caring what people thought any more. He liked this guy.

After reading a passage of Scripture in Isaiah, Jesus paused, as if He were listening, or waiting...for something. Maybe for people to think about what He had just read. Then Jesus looked at Harvey. There was compassion in his eyes, mixed with fire. Like the look his dad used to have when other kids teased him when he was young.

"Harvey, can you come up here please?" Jesus asked.

Harvey looked around for a few seconds, and pointed to himself with his good hand. (He always wrapped his other hand in a scarf when he was in public, and tried to keep it hidden.) Jesus nodded. Harvey was ok with making the teachers a little upset with his presence, or his late entrance, but being up front, next to Jesus? He wasn't too sure. But he felt himself drawn to Jesus' side. For some reason, it seemed like Jesus knew all about being rejected, misunderstood, and misjudged. What if the stories were right? What if this really was the Son of God next to him? Is this what God was like, standing with and for those who had been rejected and abused? A new meaning dawned in Harvey's mind about the Scriptures Jesus had just read. He half-expected Jesus to ask the community to accept him, to be kinder to him. But what Jesus said next fully took him off-guard.

"I have a question for you," Jesus looked around the room. "Does the law allow us to do good on the Sabbath? Is it a day for good or evil? To save a life or destroy it?" There was a long, awkward silence as Jesus looked toward the back, into the faces of each of the leaders with their arms crossed, fire in His eyes. 

Harvey was confused. This was about the Sabbath? Heat began pouring into his face. What was going on? The religious leaders seemed to be watching closely, though unresponsive to Jesus' question. Harvey still didn't get it. What did he have to do with the Sabbath? Was this about last night when he had to push the edges a bit at sundown? Ok, most weeks, he realized. It always seemed to take too long to get all the animals fed and watered with his one hand, while his family prepared for the special evening meal. They'd be waiting for him, every week, candles lit, when he'd finally finish washing up and could sit down with them. Humiliation settled firmly in. Of course, Jesus was like the rest of the religious people. He shouldn't have gotten his hopes up. He just wanted to sit down.

But just then, Jesus turned and looked at Harvey again, that same fierce protectiveness glowing in His eyes. With an authority that left no room for hesitation, Jesus told him, "Stretch out your hand, Harvey."

Harvey started to slowly reach his hand out with a grimace, but then it just kept stretching...it didn't feel like his old hand! It felt strong, and full, and...normal! In disbelief, he tore off the scarf to see a strong, healthy hand that matched his other! The synagogue was silent for a few seconds, then sounds of wonder, applause, cheers, and praises filled the room--along with a low rumble of protest from the back, as a many of the religious leaders stormed out.

Harvey looked back from his new hand to Jesus, in complete shock and amazement. Jesus' face was all smiles now, with a few left-over tears of frustration at the corners of His eyes. He reached out to give Harvey the best hug he'd ever had in his life.

"You belong, Harvey," Jesus whispered before letting him go. "Don't ever forget. I came here to make sure you know that. This day was made for you. You belong here."