Feb 7th, 2021
Mark 1.40-45
"A man with leprosy came to him and begged him on his knees, “If you are willing, you can make me clean.” Jesus was indignant. He reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cleansed. Jesus sent him away at once with a strong warning: “See that you don’t tell this to anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them.” Instead he went out and began to talk freely, spreading the news. As a result, Jesus could no longer enter a town openly but stayed outside in lonely places. Yet the people still came to him from everywhere."
Jesus makes us whole
While I was scrolling through Instagram, I came across a preaching from Rich Wilkerson that stood out to me. He spoke about Jesus healing the man with leprosy. The man begged Jesus to heal him. When Jesus touched his hand the leprosy left his body immediately. Jesus then asked him, “See that you don’t tell this to anyone” (Mark 1:44).
Instead the man with leprosy ended up telling everyone freely how he got healed. Jesus was unable to enter the town openly but stayed outside in lonely places (Mark 1:45). Rich pointed out that the man with leprosy and Jesus basically switched places. So at first, the man with leprosy was the outsider because he had a disease on his body. Once he was healed by Jesus the man became the insider. People started to talk to him, listen to him and accept him. The man didn’t listen to when Jesus said not to tell anyone. Jesus ended up being the one outside in lonely places.
The man with leprosy represented me before I accepted Christ. I was considered an outsider. People always looked at me through my flaws. The world did not accept me for who I was. Back then I was quiet and didn’t know how to speak for myself. My family wasn’t wealthy either. People judged me for the way I looked and how I dressed. This impacted me alot.
Years later, Jesus came into my life when I least expected it and healed me. I fell in love with Jesus. I had never experienced a love like His all my life. It completely transformed me. It's been 6 years since Christ saved me. But after some time, I noticed that I got used to my walk with God. Just like the man with leprosy, I started to put people first and left Jesus behind. I knew He was waiting for me to reach out and spend time with Him. However, I'm so thankful, I serve a God who doesn't give up on me when I make mistakes, who stays faithful even if I’m not.
Thought to ponder
Do you feel like an outsider at times? Jesus loves you, and He reaches towards us and showers us with His love. Jesus is willing to be in the lonely outside places just for us.
To Pray
Father, we thank you that we are never alone, that we are wanted and needed in your eyes. Thank you Lord that your hand is never too short, and you are waiting for us to reach out. Lord help me today, to reach out to you, help me to accept your love today. In Jesus name, Amen