“When Jesus came down from the mountainside, large crowds followed him. A man with leprosy came and knelt before him and said, ‘Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.’ Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. ‘I am willing,’ he said. ‘Be clean!’ Immediately he was cleansed of his leprosy.”
– Matthew 8:1-3
One of the most powerful things Jesus did after He started His earthly ministry was to touch a man with leprosy. In the culture of His day, lepers were outcasts, and everywhere they went, they were required to announce their presence by shouting “unclean” so that others were warned and could scatter. Furthermore, in many regions, those diagnosed as leprous were required to leave their homes and families to be isolated from everyone they knew, lest they spread the illness to them. Banished to a life of separation and obscurity, the disease became their identity, and they spent day and night living in awareness of it. Even worse, because their sickness was thought to befall them as a result of sin, it was treated as a spiritual deficiency and invoked judgment from the religious community as well. For all these reasons, we can imagine the shock and terror on each of the disciple’s faces when their Master not only moved toward a leper, but boldly reached out and touched him. Rejecting any fear of becoming unclean Himself, our Savior willingly embraced a person who probably hadn’t had any human contact for years. Though He could have shied away, there was no condemnation on Jesus’ part, but simply compassion. His mercy triumphed over judgement, and complete physical and spiritual healing was the result. My friend, pray to have a heart like Jesus, and choose to see the essence of a person before heeding their disease, disability, or struggle. Though it’s considered radical in the eyes of society, ascribe value and dignity to those who seem the least worthy, and invoke supernatural power through the display of divine love. Chains break and souls are set free when they know that their identity is not in sickness, addiction, or behavior, but solely in the priceless blood of the Lamb — the One who takes away the sins of the world. He is the longing of every heart, and He provides an imperishable hope to those who have waited their whole lives for a place to belong. |
Prayer
Jesus, thank you for empowering me to show others that they are more than what they say, do, or look like.
Reflection
Where and how can you love someone who the world has deemed unlovable?
If you’re unable to attend your local church or need some additional weekly inspiration, be sure to tune into Hour of Power every Saturday night at 6:30 p.m. PT on TBN or watch online at hourofpower.org/episode.
2 Responses
I accept and love everybody regardless of the color of their skin. Whether they are Christian or Non Christian. Married or Single.Gays Bisexuals and whoever else. Members of different Political Affiliatons. Blind Hearing Impaired. And also with no
limbs.In this way. We are taught that Jesus loves everyone. All are precious in his sight.I hope and pray that the Hour of Power will continue its mission of reaching out to all around the world with its positive and healing messages of God.To the musicians and choir along with their directors much thanks and appreciation for the gloriously uplifting music and singing.To the worshiping community of Shepherd’s Grove at Irvine Presbyterian Church.Warm greetings.To the Schuller family. Love good health and many more years of happiness. And also to Sarah Grandpre and the Voices of Hope Children’s Choir that God will bless and protect them from this horrible and unpredictable virus with its contagious variants.As always I remain a faithful viewer and Happy and Wholesome Student in Jesus Christ
May God bless all and the entire United States of America
Donna, your words inspired me as do my Pastor Bobby’s. If only more and more of us were to voice the same or similar words,the world surely would be a far better place.