His Hands

How can anyone who loves Jesus not break down when seeing this video? This is one of the most inspiring and touching videos about Christ I have ever seen. In the life of Jesus we see vividly just how loving God really is.

The clip ends by quoting John 3:16-17. Have you ever wondered about the word “perishing” in this verse? Does it mean some will never be restored to God? No. For my thoughts on this, CLICK HERE

Also, John 3:17 has been sadly misunderstood:

“For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved (John 3:17 KJV).”

Is this worded correctly? Is God just “hoping” to save the world? The word “might” here may leave us wondering. But you know what? The word “might” is not used in many translations! See how the NIV reads:

“For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”

Where is the “might?” Why did the NIV translators leave it out? Were they alone in doing this? No! Numerous modern translations do not have the word “might.” Consider these:

“For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world…

“…but to save the world.” (God’s Word Translation)

“…but to be its savior.” (Good News Translation)

“…but to save the world through him.” (New Century Version)

“…but to save it—through him.” (J.B. Phillips N.T.)

“…but to save the world through him.” (New Living Translation)

“…but to save the world through him.” (Today’s New International Version)

“…He sent him to save the world.” (Worldwide English N.T.)

“…but that the world be saved by him.”(Wycliff Bible – 2001)

“…but so that the world would be saved through his Son. (The Source N.T. )

“…but to the contrary, to the end that the world would be delivered through Him.” (J.M.)

(Jonathan Mitchell Translation)

“…He sent him to save them!” (Contemporary English Translation)

I asked my friend, Dr. Michael Jones, a Hebrew and Greek scholar, what he thought of “might” in John 3:17. Here is a man that only reads the New Testament in the Greek language. In fact, he teaches N.T. Greek. He explained to me in a very simple way:  “οὐ γὰρ ἀπέστειλεν ὁ θεὸς τὸν υἱὸν εἰς τὸν κόσμον ἵνα κρίνῃ τὸν κόσμον, ἀλλʼ ἵνα σωθῇ ὁ κόσμος διʼ αὐτοῦ.” Using “might” in John 3:17 is not good translating. The force of the subjunctive here “ἵνα σωθῇ” is not like a maybe, or a might. That is why many translators leave “might” out, i.e., to keep the English-only reader from getting confused. The subjunctive can be a might, i.e., a possibility–a maybe–a might, and yet, it can also emphasize a statement of fact better than the indicative mood/mode. So, let me illustrate this in English: If a translator gave us a transport from a form critical method of translation theory, he might write: “Bob hit the ball over the fence so that he might have a home-run”. But a translator using a dynamic equivalent model of translation theory might write it like this: “Bob hit the ball over the fence to get a home-run.” Note that the subjunctive is there, but difficult to see in English.”

But even with the King James Version’s inclusion of “might,” it still does not require us to limit God’s will and power to save. Consider this statement: “The dam was dynamited so that the pent up waters ‘might’ rush out.” Is there any doubt that the waters will rush out when the dam is blown away? Of course not! In the same way is “might” used in the KJV. Please consider these further examples from the King James Version itself that show this:

“But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled (Mt. 26:56 KJV).” Were the scriptures fulfilled? Yes, of course!

“And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach (Mk.3:14 KJV).”  Did Jesus, in fact, send them forth to preach? Yes!

“And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:   That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus (Ep. 2:6-7 KJV).”  Is there any doubt that Christ will show His exceeding grace in the ages to come? Of course not!

There is no doubt about what Christ came to accomplish on earth. And you know what? He succeeded!

“I glorified You on earth, having accomplished the work You have given Me to do (Jn 17:3 NAS).”

And what was His work and mission?

“For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost (Lu 19:10; Mt 18:11).

“For I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world (Jn 12:47).”

“Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29).”

“And I, if I am lifted up from the earth will draw [lit. drag] all men to Myself (John 12:32 NAS).”

Praise the Lord! He fully accomplished His mission! He will save the world!

Gerry Beauchemin

For additional and compelling Biblical support for my glorious view of God, read “Hope Beyond Hell” free online at hopebeyondhell.net or from Amazon.com.

Lyrics to the video’s song:

his hands
tools of creation
stronger than nations
power without end
and yet through them we find our truest friend
his hands
sermons of kindness
healing men’s blindness
halting years of pain
children waiting to be held again

his hands would serve his whole life though
showing man what hands might do
giving, ever giving, endlessly
each day was filled with selflessness
and i’ll not rest until i make up my hands what they could be
’til these hands become like those from galilee

his hands
lifting a leper
warming a beggar
calling back the dead
breaking bread, five thousand fed
his hands
hushing contention
pointing to heaven
ever free of sin
then bidding man to follow him

his hands would serve his whole life though
showing man what hands might do
giving, ever giving, endlessly
each day was filled with selflessness
and i’ll not rest until i make up my hands what they could be
’til these hands become like those from galilee

his hands
clasped in agony
as he he lay pleading, bleeding in the garden
while just moments away
other hands betray him
out of greed, shameful greed
and then his hands
are trembling
straining to carry the beam that they’ve been led to
as he stumbles through the streets
heading towards the hill on which he died
he would die
they take his hands, his mighty hands, those gentle hands
and then they pierce them, they pierce them
he lets them, because of love
from birth to death was selflessness
and clearly now i see him with his hands
calling to me
and though i’m not yet as i would be
he has shown me how i could be
i will make my hands like those from galilee

“His Hands” by Kenneth Cope: