Post by Woody Williams on Feb 12, 2006 7:01:17 GMT -5
Text for the Day -- Mark 1:40-45
----------
A leper came to him begging him, and kneeling he said to him, 'If you
choose, you can make me clean.' Moved with pity, Jesus stretched out
his hand and touched him, and said to him, 'I do choose. Be made
clean!' Immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean.
After sternly warning him he sent him away at once, saying to him,
'See that you say nothing to anyone; but go, show yourself to the
priest, and offer for your cleansing what Moses commanded, as a
testimony to them.' But he went out and began to proclaim it freely,
and to spread the word, so that Jesus could no longer go into a town
openly, but stayed out in the country; and people came to him from
every quarter.
Devotional
----------
Lepers were accustomed to begging. They could not be a part of
society - no work, no family connection, no dignity, no parties - as
their bodies wasted away. But, this leper speaks some strong and
challenging words to Jesus. He has not given in to what leprosy has
done to his body. He says, "If you choose, you can make me clean."
The leper reached out to claim what so many others had claimed from
Jesus. Jesus responds by healing him. Many in Jesus' day thought
leprosy was a curse from God on a sinner (like some speak of AIDS
victims today). Jesus, by his actions, says no to that.
Prayer
---------------
Help me be a channel of your healing love to the many who are
outcasts today. Amen
----------
A leper came to him begging him, and kneeling he said to him, 'If you
choose, you can make me clean.' Moved with pity, Jesus stretched out
his hand and touched him, and said to him, 'I do choose. Be made
clean!' Immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean.
After sternly warning him he sent him away at once, saying to him,
'See that you say nothing to anyone; but go, show yourself to the
priest, and offer for your cleansing what Moses commanded, as a
testimony to them.' But he went out and began to proclaim it freely,
and to spread the word, so that Jesus could no longer go into a town
openly, but stayed out in the country; and people came to him from
every quarter.
Devotional
----------
Lepers were accustomed to begging. They could not be a part of
society - no work, no family connection, no dignity, no parties - as
their bodies wasted away. But, this leper speaks some strong and
challenging words to Jesus. He has not given in to what leprosy has
done to his body. He says, "If you choose, you can make me clean."
The leper reached out to claim what so many others had claimed from
Jesus. Jesus responds by healing him. Many in Jesus' day thought
leprosy was a curse from God on a sinner (like some speak of AIDS
victims today). Jesus, by his actions, says no to that.
Prayer
---------------
Help me be a channel of your healing love to the many who are
outcasts today. Amen