Love and Power
Opening Prayer
Merciful Lord, You know all too well the sin and weakness in me. I pray for Your forgiveness and help.
Read Mark 1:40-45
[40] A man with leprosy came to him and begged him on his knees, “If you are willing, you can make me clean.” [41] Jesus was indignant. He reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” [42] Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cleansed. [43] Jesus sent him away at once with a strong warning: [44] “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.” [45] 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. Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.
Reflect
Why did Jesus heal this man?Having a skin disease was a serious problem in Jewish culture. It was seen as a consequence of sin and made the sufferer ritually unclean which meant that this man would have been cut off from society. He was unable to participate in religious ceremonies; no one would touch him or get close to him for fear of being made unclean; and he could not work to support himself. Destitute, lonely and feeling rejected by God, he falls on his knees before Jesus. The miracle would have been amazing enough, showing God’s power in Jesus. But Jesus’ ministry was about more than power; it was about redemptive love. His compassion caused him to reach out and touch the man. Instead of Jesus becoming ritually unclean, the man became clean, his skin healed. Jesus models love and power. His holiness was more powerful than the disease and overcame it. Now the man can reenter society, make friends, get married, earn a living. He is no longer rejected. Jesus has changed everything. This is the heart of Jesus’ ministry: delivering us from controlling sin and showing us God’s love and acceptance, bringing us life in all its fullness (John 10:10).
Apply
Is there an area of your life where you need Jesus’ healing or forgiving touch and power? If so, simply ask him for that now.
Closing prayer
Praise God today that he has reached out and touched us with his loving, healing power through Jesus.
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