February 12, 2018 Monday

“Now a leper came to Him, imploring Him, kneeling down to Him and saying to Him, “If You are willing, You can make me clean.” Then Jesus, moved with compassion, stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, “I am willing; be cleansed.” As soon as He had spoken, immediately the leprosy left him, and he was cleansed. And He strictly warned him and sent him away at once, and said to him, “See that you say nothing to anyone; but go your way, show yourself to the priest, and offer for your cleansing those things which Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.” However, he went out and began to proclaim it freely, and to spread the matter, so that Jesus could no longer openly enter the city, but was outside in deserted places; and they came to Him from every direction.” (Mark 1:40-45 NKJV)

            “If You are willing”.  Is that a question you have about God?  If you say yes than you are a smart Christian if you say no that is the time to question your faith in Jesus!

            We, who before Jesus are like lepers and unclean before God want to know God wants to really make us clean through Jesus.  Does the holy and righteous God really want to cleanse us rather than destroy us?  If you are honest you do not deserve any of the mercy or grace God shows. 

            The leper shows faith that if God is willing then God can cleanse him!  The leper’s faith even in the midst of his questioning soul is amazing and touches the heart of Jesus.

” Then Jesus, moved with compassion, stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, “I am willing; be cleansed.”

            Here we see the reason why God has made such pains to redeem a sinful and broken people who turned their backs on God to become their own God.  Because God is moved with compassion!

            That phrase is amazing!  God is moved with compassion tells us God’s path and direction is guided by compassion.  Compassion means to be led by pity and love for someone.  The Greek tense is that it is constant and not limited by time.  Also notice the word passion, what does that tell us about the Passion of Jesus?

            The offering of Jesus on the cross is an eternal reminder of God’s passionate compassion for you!  The passion of Jesus for us, like it did for the leper cleanses us and makes us whole!

            Notice Jesus sends the leper to the priests.  When we are cleansed by God’s love and compassion God calls us to gather with His people and offer our sacrifice of praise. 

            Have you been cleansed by the passion and compassion of God?  If so, do you gather with God’s people and offer the sacrifice of praise to God and the sacrifice of your life with them and for them?

          I always seem to have a bad day after going to worship but it worth it.  Pain and weariness is not optional so I might as well do something worth it.  Though some days the pain is so bad I do not go because it means someone must leave to take me home.