Click this link to hear an audio version of the below text narrated by SOTH member Jerry Rhinehart:
Mark 1:39-45 NIV)
39 So he traveled throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons.
Jesus Heals a Man With Leprosy
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.
What is significant in Jesus touching the leper prior to healing him?
The significance of Jesus touching the Leper is that while it was not unlawful to touch what was considered an “unclean person” it was something that was was not done out of fear usually. Jesus touching the leper showed His compassion for this man, especially since this leper may not have been touched in a very long time.
Lord, I thank you for your compassion for me and this world, we may appear clean on the outside but sometimes our hearts and minds, on the inside, are as full of boils and warts as the leper was on the outside. Those boils and warts become contagious when fail to treat people like you would with mercy and kindness. Lord I pray for a heart of compassion when dealing with others who may not look, think or act like me. You love them and You died for them too. Teach me Lord to have the faith of the leper knowing that you can and did heal me out of your great love. Amen
Today’s prayer submitted by Jo Schneider