JANUARY 22, 2024

Matthew 8:1-4  (HCSB)
A Man Cleansed When He came down from the mountain, large crowds  followed Him. 2 Right away  a man with a serious skin disease came up and knelt before Him,  saying, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.” 3 Reaching out His hand He touched him, saying, “I am willing; be made clean.” Immediately his disease was healed.  4 Then Jesus told him, “See that you don’t tell anyone;  but go, show yourself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses prescribed, as a testimony to them.”

Pastor HD Jones
You have to go back to the Levitical law to understand the seriousness of what Jesus did with this man that had a skin disease.  According to the law, this man was considered unclean and could not stay in the city or be allowed to go to corporate worship.  Think about how isolated we felt during Covid.  We had to wear masks, keep 6ft apart, and wipe down everything someone else had touched.  I remember people saying how much they missed hugs and we didn’t have to yell out “unclean” like they did in Jesus’ day. With all this in mind consider what Jesus did for this man.  First he acknowledged him as a person because Jesus listens to him.  Have you ever had someone ignore you?  Then Jesus touched this untouchable/unclean man.  Can you imagine the joy this man felt on his skin (healed) but also his soul? The miracles of Jesus demonstrates His power and authority but also His compassion for the broken people.  I’m so glad Jesus is willing to clean up our messed up life.  I’m thankful He has the power but also the compassion.