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GLEANINGS FROM THE WORD Experiencing an extraordinary God in ordinary life Issue # 786 April 19, 2003 Hannah's Story This morning's story first appeared as issue #102, but it proved to be so popular that I decided to use it again in celebration of our Lord's resurrection. Enjoy! Preparing the evening meal, Hannah reflected back to the time she first heard the rabbi. Her curiosity drew her to the steps of the synagogue. People in the market spoke of a wise new rabbi, whose teaching exceeded that of even Gamaliel, and she wanted to hear for herself. She was careful to stay on the edge of the steps near the shadows. Women were not particularly welcome here, especially women like her. He spoke with an authority she had never heard before. Yet, he was no ordinary rabbi, he had the hands of a workingman. She knew those kinds of hands. Rough, callused and scarred. The kind of hands that often caressed her roughly after they had purchased her favours for the evening. Yet he was different than those other men. When he looked at her she saw compassion not lust and it frightened her. Unsure how to respond she fled. She came back though, drawn like a magnet to his gentle words and teaching. She tried to figure out his scam, he must have an angle that he was working, but he seemed genuine. Then he was gone. Some said he had fled for his life. Others said he had been killed. She felt saddened at his leaving and shame over what she did for a living. She tried to put him out of her mind as she continued to work her trade in the darker corners of the city. It was strange, for she had long ago learned to put caring for others and emotions like shame out of her mind. She finished her meal and headed out to work the street one more time. A gentle voice from the darkness said, "Where do you go Hannah?" Putting on a seductive smile, she turned and replied "To a place of great pleasure. Will you accompany me?" "Hannah, my dear Hannah. There is so much more to life than what you do." Starting to curse this man, she stopped as she saw his face. It couldn't be him. It looked like him, but his brow was covered in deep scars. She knew the hands though, the hands of the working man, a carpenter. They had new scars. Deep scars on the wrists. "Crying she said "Rabbi. What have they done to you?" "Their worst Hannah. Yet they could not stop me. I have risen from the dead and soon will sit with my Father in Heaven." She looked at his eyes and saw the love there. She felt ashamed and unworthy of his presence. "You shouldn't be seen with someone like me rabbi. What will they say?" "It doesn't matter what they say. I know the heart of people. I know the pain of your life and the gentleness of the heart that lies hidden. Hannah, stop what you are doing. Go and sin no more, your sins are forgiven." With that He turned and left. Her heart was free as she turned and headed back for home. She didn't understand fully, but the rabbi with the scarred hands had truly forgiven her. Are you like Hannah, burying your emotions and hiding your shame? He rose from the dead on an Easter morning, proving His claim to being the Son of God and He wants to forgive you too. "If you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame." For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile--the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." Romans 10:9-13 NIV Until next time, may you come to know the carpenter with the nail scarred hands. The one who died on a cross at the town garbage dump in your place. If you already know Him, may you marvel at how much He loves you and what He did for you. Be blessed. Hallelu Yah (Praise God)! Kevin YOU ARE Once you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour you are included. And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession--to the praise of his glory. Ephesians 1:13-14 NIV You can simply begin the relationship by honestly and completely opening your heart, admitting you need God's help, and saying a prayer along the lines of: Jesus: I have made many mistakes in my life and done things I am not proud of. I have sinned. I need your love and forgiveness. I believe that you came into this world and gave your life on a cross to pay for my sins and that you defeated death and rose again. Please forgive me, and be the Lord of my life. I give my life to you Lord. Amen If you pray this prayer for the first time let me know so I can rejoice with you. Did you know that at Gleanings, we have a dedicated team of prayer warriors and all prayer concerns are kept strictly confidential? Your comments, your questions and your joys are shared with the prayer team, to keep me accountable as the head of the ministry and to encourage them as they see God at work in your life. As with prayer all these things are kept confidential within the Gleanings team. To share your questions, comments, thoughts, prayer concerns and praise reports email us If you enjoyed this issue of Gleanings From The Word, email it, in its entirety, to a friend. For information on use of Gleanings in your church newsletter or other situations please visit the permissions page . You can write to us at Gleanings From The Word Ministries International 114 Oak St Sherwood Park, AB Canada T8A 0V8 © 2003 K.F. "Kevin" Corbin Gleanings From The Word Minististries International - All Rights Reserved
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