The Left Hand Or The Right?

In a rare medical procedure, a strange phenomenon seems to occur. A study at the Center for Cognitive Neuroscience, in Lyon, France, has been conducted on patients who have had both of their hands transplanted. Findings indicate that the brain, for some reason, re-established connections much more quickly with the left hand than the right – despite the patients being right-handed before the surgery.

The first researched case involved a 20-year-old man who received the transplants in 2003 after having used artificial hand devices for some while. Experts found that his brain had re-established nerve connections to control the left hand by 10 months. But it took over two years to complete the ‘rewiring’ needed for the right. In another case a 46-year-old man who lost both hands received a dual hand transplant. He was tested by the researchers well over four years later, only to find that the brain had recognized the the left hand, but not yet the right. Researchers said more study is needed to determine why this happens.

The Bible uses the hands for both literal and figurative illustrations. There are references to lifting up holy hands. (1 Timothy 2:8) There is a reference of the need for sinners to cleanse their hands. (James 4:8) Then Jesus said from the cross in Luke 23:46, "Father, 'into Your hands I commit My spirit.'" And in a most serious and solemn warning, the writer of Hebrews said, “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” (Hebrews 10:31)

But it is in Mathew’s gospel account that Jesus used a figurative illustration that included a reference to both hands. In chapter five He presented what is known as the ‘Beatitudes’. In His lengthy message there, He covered an array of moral topics such as murder, marriage, love, honesty and forgiveness. Then starting with chapter six He touched briefly on the subject of humility and pride as it relates to doing good and charitable things. The negative example used in the passage came, as was somewhat typical for the Lord, at the expense of the religious and hypocritical elite leadership of that day.

Beginning with verse one pf that sixth chapter Jesus declared, "Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven. Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.”

Then in verse three the image of right and left hands came into play. “But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.”

In 1 Corinthians three, the writer Paul also spoke out concerning the inner motives that accompany and drive outward good works. He begins in verse eleven stating, “For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one's work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one's work, of what sort it is. If anyone's work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. If anyone's work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.”

In the final analysis it does not much matter how either hand is connected to or controlled by the brain. The issue in God’s eyes is only whether or not the heart properly motivates and spiritually guides what the hands then do. Obviously any and all good efforts will benefit those on the receiving end. But for the same to be pleasing to a holy God, and worthy of His eternal reward, they must fit His unique ‘hand to hand’ criteria!

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:10)

Bill Breckenridge