Clean Again
Matthew 8:1-4 (NIV)
When Jesus came down from the mountainside, large crowds followed him. A man with leprosy came and knelt before him and said, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.”
Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” Immediately he was cleansed of his leprosy. Then Jesus said to him, “See that you don’t tell anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the gift Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.”
Reflection
Jesus is with the broken and recognizes their needs.
The man in today’s scripture was living a life of isolation and pain due to a contagious incurable skin disease. He lived his life either alone or segregated with other lepers and was what culture would call a social outcast. What a terrible way to live! Fortunately for him, Jesus was nearby preaching to the crowds and saw an opportunity to demonstrate love and compassion.
Jesus is willing to heal the sick.
The man with leprosy recognized who Jesus was and kneeled before Him, calling Him “Lord” (verse 2). The sick man understood that he was in the presence of God, so he humbled himself and asked for healing. According to Levitical law, anyone who had a skin disease was to be kept isolated (Leviticus 13). Yet this man, knowing he was considered unclean, showed incredible faith and boldness by approaching Jesus. When Jesus touched him, the man was made whole. Jesus’ compassion and power breathed new life into the man’s broken body. Jesus is different. He is special. He is like nothing we have ever seen before. Jesus brings heaven’s promise of peace and restoration to Earth.
Jesus wants to be with everyone who calls on Him.
How difficult it must have been for the leper to live a life of isolation and sickness, to always be hurting and in pain. His disease could not be hidden and even required him to announce his leprosy when he entered a town (Leviticus 13). Yet none of this disqualified him from God’s grace. Jesus saw the man’s sickness and wanted to help. His love for the man was great, He was willing, and all it took was for the man to approach and ask.
Action Steps
Where in your life do you want God to show up? Jesus loves to be with you and is with you in your situation. He is ready and waiting to listen. Spend some time with Him right now and share your needs, desires, and concerns with Him.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for being a loving God who is with us, one who knows our pain and brokenness. You see our sin but always give us grace. We can never repay You. All You ask in return is for us to place our faith in You. Thank you for sending your only Son, Jesus!
Amen.
When Jesus came down from the mountainside, large crowds followed him. A man with leprosy came and knelt before him and said, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.”
Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” Immediately he was cleansed of his leprosy. Then Jesus said to him, “See that you don’t tell anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the gift Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.”
Reflection
Jesus is with the broken and recognizes their needs.
The man in today’s scripture was living a life of isolation and pain due to a contagious incurable skin disease. He lived his life either alone or segregated with other lepers and was what culture would call a social outcast. What a terrible way to live! Fortunately for him, Jesus was nearby preaching to the crowds and saw an opportunity to demonstrate love and compassion.
Jesus is willing to heal the sick.
The man with leprosy recognized who Jesus was and kneeled before Him, calling Him “Lord” (verse 2). The sick man understood that he was in the presence of God, so he humbled himself and asked for healing. According to Levitical law, anyone who had a skin disease was to be kept isolated (Leviticus 13). Yet this man, knowing he was considered unclean, showed incredible faith and boldness by approaching Jesus. When Jesus touched him, the man was made whole. Jesus’ compassion and power breathed new life into the man’s broken body. Jesus is different. He is special. He is like nothing we have ever seen before. Jesus brings heaven’s promise of peace and restoration to Earth.
Jesus wants to be with everyone who calls on Him.
How difficult it must have been for the leper to live a life of isolation and sickness, to always be hurting and in pain. His disease could not be hidden and even required him to announce his leprosy when he entered a town (Leviticus 13). Yet none of this disqualified him from God’s grace. Jesus saw the man’s sickness and wanted to help. His love for the man was great, He was willing, and all it took was for the man to approach and ask.
Action Steps
Where in your life do you want God to show up? Jesus loves to be with you and is with you in your situation. He is ready and waiting to listen. Spend some time with Him right now and share your needs, desires, and concerns with Him.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for being a loving God who is with us, one who knows our pain and brokenness. You see our sin but always give us grace. We can never repay You. All You ask in return is for us to place our faith in You. Thank you for sending your only Son, Jesus!
Amen.
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