DAILY READING
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REFLECTION
Willingness and Love
by Judy Webb
Faith is a mighty and powerful tool in the Believer's tool belt. With it he can move mountains, without it he is helpless and hopeless. Faith changes lives, faith makes life worth living. Just ask the man with leprosy in today's Bible text.
"While Jesus was in one of the towns, a man came along who was covered with leprosy. When he saw Jesus, he fell with his face to the ground and begged him. 'Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.'" (Luke 5:12)
Jesus' reputation was spreading fast as he traveled with the disciples and began teaching and healing. People who never encountered him before, believed. They had faith that Jesus could help them, if he was willing. This is a key thought. Jesus' willingness is all it took. The Leper approached Jesus with faith in His ability. He was about to learn about Jesus' heart, His willingness to heal and set this man free.
Faith like this is humbling. This outcast of society didn't know Jesus, but he believed and he was brave enough to approach Him with humility and a heart that wanted to be healed. Reading up on the conditions those inflicted with leprosy experienced, I learned that they had to stay six feet away from other folks. Obviously, Jesus wasn't worried about coming in contact with this man.
"Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. 'I am willing,' he said. 'Be clean.' And immediately the leprosy left him." (Luke 5:13)
Our sinful nature is a leprosy which Jesus is willing to heal. Jesus was willing - even more than that - he healed with a touch to show compassion. He could have healed with a word. Then Jesus told the man to tell no one but the priests, so they could declare him clean and be brought back into community.
Isn't it interesting that Jesus told the man to tell no one - but he obviously told many; and we are told to tell everyone, but often tell no one?
PRAYER PRACTICE
Spoken Prayer – Out loud, pray for God to speak to you through your reading. Praise God for giving us His word. Ask the Spirit to help you read with faith, and to live out what you hear from God through the passage. This Lenten season, pray for courage to tell everyone we meet about Jesus and His Good News and willingness to forgive and heal.
If the loppers believed, don’t you you think he “knew” Jesus. Just maybe?
You are welcome Chuck. I is so good to hear. Have a Spirit-fillee Lent.
Thanks so much, exactly what I needed today.