Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21

Empty Hands

          Have you ever wondered what life would be like if you didn’t have your hands? Certainly, there are people that suffer from this exact circumstance and by no means do I intend to make light of their situation. But it’s one of those questions that I think we all wonder at some point and time. We know how important our hands are for all that we do and we even lament those times, when for one reason or another, we lose use of even part of our hands. We use our hands for many things. We cook; we create; we build, design, help, and so many other things. But hands that can be used for great good, can also be used for great evil. Our hands have done many things, and not all for the better. As we enter our Lenten series, we’ll be focusing on hands... not just our hands, but the very hand of God. Even as our hands have been working evil and chaos, God’s hands have been at work too. God has rolled up his sleeves and dug his hand into our muck. For God’s hands have come against us in judgment, or they’ve come to comfort and support. We’ll be exploring all the ways that God uses his “hands” to work among us so that hopefully, we’ll be able to see his fingerprints in our life too. 

          Tonight, we’ve come to examine the works of our hands and confess that we’ve done wrong. With our hands, we seek to harm others, cling to our idols, and glorify our own works. But now it’s time for us to repent. It’s time we let go of all the evil we hang on to and then learn:

EMPTY YOUR HANDS THAT THE HANDS OF CHRIST MAY WORK THROUGH YOU!

I.

          There’s no doubt that we’ve all made things that we’re proud of. I imagine Alex coming home with a drawing or worksheet he did at Preschool all excited to show me what his hands drew. We take pride in the works of our hands, and that’s not always a bad thing. However, there are times when we take pride in things that we shouldn’t. When we hurt others, when we belittle people, when we show by our deeds that we’re more interested in ourselves. This is what Jesus tells us about helping other people, “Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you,” Matthew 6:2-4. What God has given us to do with our hands, and what we actually use our hands for are often polar opposites. Consider even in the Garden of Eden. God had told Adam and Eve to tend the garden, to care for the animals, and the beautiful creation he entrusts to them. Yet, it was the hands of Adam and Eve that take of the forbidden fruit. And you see, lest you think your works don’t rise to such opposition of God, every time we sin, we too are taking of that forbidden fruit ourselves. We’re the ones holding the half-eaten apple in our hands.

          This is why we repeat the original curse on this solemn night. “Dust you are, and to dust you shall return,” Genesis 3:19. Our fingerprints have been found all over the “crime scene” if you will. We can’t run away from all the evil we’ve done, all the sins we’ve committed. Rather, we must confess. We must let go of the evil we cling to and become beggars before God. As David writes, “For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me,” Psalm 51:3. So, I say to you who are heavy-laden with your sins, lay them down. Place them here at our Lord’s feet. For he who holds onto even one sin still holds onto them all. For let us not take pride or show off our evil deeds. No, rather by repentance, we pray to our Lord that he would cover them. We pray that he would hide them by his mercy. We pray, “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me,” Psalm 51:10. May our hands be empty of my wants and desires that I may use my hands to do Your will, Lord!

II.

           When our hands are empty, it only takes us looking up to see whose hands are reaching out for us. When we’ve let go of all our idols, of the forbidden fruit that our sinful flesh enjoys, we’ll notice that God has always been reaching out to us. It was God all along who stood with his hands outward toward us, ready to welcome us home. Even as Joel records, “Return to the Lord, your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love,” Joel 2:13. God is indeed gracious and merciful. God has worked his mercy to spare you the punishment of your sins. God has worked his grace to grant you forgiveness and to give you abundant gifts from his hands. Yes, when we come with empty hands, God will fill us with good things, good works for which we can rejoice. By faith, God has prepared again the work of your hands to be good and pleasing to him, that we may help our neighbor, care for the lowly and poor, give aid to the widow and orphan, and show Christ’s love to everyone!

          It was for this purpose that God has reached out his hands to you, and not just figuratively either. For it was the hands of Jesus who took our hands when we were weak to steady us. It was the hands of Jesus who laid his hands on the sick to heal them. It was the hands of Jesus who stretched out his hands that they may be nailed to the cross! As Paul says, “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God,” 2 Corinthians 5:21. Now see the fingerprints of Jesus in your life. See the sins he has taken away from you with his forgiveness. See the good works that he now does through you. Yes, when we empty our hands of sins, Jesus comes to us and uses our hands for his purpose. Now, may we craft, bake, work, clean, help, and love others that they may see the mighty works of God as he works through us for His glory.

          Dust you are... and to dust we shall return, until the Lord shall reach out his mighty hand and form us anew in the likeness of Jesus. You are the workmanship of God that with our hands, we may serve God and give him glory that all people may see the great salvation of God! In Jesus’ name. Amen!