THE TOUCH OF JESUS MAKES US WHOLE!
- Key Verse
And a leper came to Jesus, beseeching Him and falling on his knees before Him, and saying, "If You are willing, You can make me clean." Moved with compassion, Jesus stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, "I am willing; be cleansed." Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cleansed. (Mark 1:40-42)(emphasis added)
READ TODAY'S PASSAGE-
READ THE CHAPTER
Central Truth
Leprosy is a type of skin disease, spreading and incurable, gradually rotting away the flesh, deadening the nerve endings as it spreads, eventually leading to death. Sin has the same effects: spreading, deadening my love for God, and producing spiritual death, unless I seek God’s salvation by trust in Jesus.
Reflections
Walk with me and meet a man whose life was changed by a loving touch and five simple words. Imagine him writing this.
Rotting flesh. Oozing lesions all over my body. This is the life I lived for years as a leper. Isolated from physically healthy people. Yet, the social and religious isolation were worse. I had been quarantined from family, friends, community, and the temple. They said I was contagious and unclean. I was restricted from all towns and villages. If someone approached me, I had to call out, “Unclean, unclean.” I felt worthless and abandoned by God and man. I had not felt the touch of anyone in years. All my days were spent in self-pity and hopelessness. I hadn't asked God, “Why me?” for many years because He hadn't answered my questions.
Even among our leper colony, we heard about happenings in villages around us. One day, I was told that Jesus was in town healing people. Hope, born of desperation, coursed through me. Could He heal me? Would He be willing to heal me? How could I get to Him?
I had to go to Him even if it was against the law. Fortunately, I knew a back way into town. When I arrived, I saw a large crowd. People stared at me in horror and quickly backed away. But when I saw the Messiah so near, I fell to my knees. I could not find my voice. Finally, I stuttered, “If you are willing, you can make me clean?”
Then, He compassionately touched me! All my pain and sorrow vanished. Jesus looked straight into my eyes as He said, “I am willing. Be cleansed.” Instantly my leprosy disappeared! Through tears of joy I proclaimed, “He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God; Many will see and fear and will trust in the Lord.” (Psalms 40:3)
Has He touched your life? Ask Him today to touch your sin-sick heart and cleanse it. It will be a day you will never forget!
Discussion Questions
1. Read Matthew 9:28-30, 20:33-34; Mark 7:33, 8:22-23; and Luke 7:13-15, 22:50-52. What do these passages have to do with today's reading? Be specific.2. Has Jesus touched your life? If so, how has His touch changed you? (Share your answer with five people today).
3. Read Matthew 9:19-21, 14:35-36; Mark 5:25-28, 6:55-56. These passages share some things in common. What are they? Are you daily driven to reach out to Jesus for forgiveness and cleansing?
FAMILY DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. What was Jesus doing in verses 32-34?
2. Jesus was healing people late at night. What does verse 35 say he did the next morning?
3. Jesus’ example shows us that time with God is a priority. Try waking up early tomorrow morning and spending time with God!
Marc
April 30, 2010 06:39 AM
Good to see your smiling face this morning. You'll have to tell me more of the tornado story.
kelly alvey
April 30, 2010 07:30 AM
John, loved your perspective as written from the leper's eyes. You most definetly demonstrate your love for the Lord despite your circumstances. We are looking forward to spending time with you and Phillip at camp!
Jaime
April 30, 2010 08:12 AM
John, the answer to Discussion Question #2 for me is yes, through what you wrote and how you wrote it. I truly appreciate your perspective on this passage!
Eric Colton
April 30, 2010 08:31 AM
Great job on the devotional John! Thanks for serving faithfully in Summit. As a greeter, you bring joy to so many in the morning just by the way you serve...
Beth
April 30, 2010 08:39 AM
Thank you John for a very visual grasp of what this man must have felt like! It truly is amazing the power of Christ and how he can cleanse us from our sins!
Lisa
April 30, 2010 08:55 AM
What a beautiful description of the love and mercy of God! Very well done and incredibly encouraging to me this morning.
Bob Lamkin
April 30, 2010 09:09 AM
It's a blessing to know you my friend.
Susan Coy
April 30, 2010 09:31 AM
John, even though I don't know you and don't know what your disabilities are....I love what you wrote in your bio. "All three of us have disabilities that affect us but by God's grace do not overpower us." Really that should be all of our bios...we are all disabled in one way or another. The challenge is do they overpower us or do we allow God's grace to prevail? Thanks for that sentence today...I needed it.
Bill Roberson
April 30, 2010 09:42 AM
Thanks John for sharing that powerful message through your devo. And thanks for sharing your life. You are a tremendouse example and encouragement. I'll bet your tornado story is a big windy. Can't wait to hear it.
Debra Pettit
April 30, 2010 10:04 AM
John- I appreciated your creative presentation of this tragic story that had the best ending possible- being cleansed by Jesus. Thank you for sharing.
Kate Gilpin
April 30, 2010 12:06 PM
John, this brought tears to my eyes. What a beautiful description of the gift of desperation...and the courage to hope in God. Thank you for sharing today. Your vivid description touched my heart.
jay Burns
May 3, 2010 08:01 AM
beautiful description...I wish sometimes that my sin / our sin could be seen with the naked eye as easily as leprosy...it is just as hideous and you gave a vivid picture of how we should clean when Jesus changes everything and makes us clean...well done...would love to meet you some day and hear about that Tornado story and many other things!
lee
May 3, 2010 08:55 AM
John, I met your darling wife Nelda at an FTD Support Group meeting. My wife was diagnosed with FTD last August. Thanks for the courage the three of you exhibit despite despite your disabilities.
Marni
May 3, 2010 01:04 PM
John, thank you for your narrative of what could have been going on in the mind of the leper who was healed - this really brought the passage to life for me!