Beautiful Word Devotional #192

Jesus was indignant. He reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!”

Mark 1:41

Jesus said these words to a man with leprosy who had dropped to his knees and begged, “If you are willing, you can make me clean” (v. 40). And Jesus didn’t react with anger to the leper’s request. Instead, Jesus was most likely saddened by the leprosy that plagued him and perhaps moved by the leper’s words that implied he didn’t feel worthy of Jesus’ attention. So Jesus touched the leper.

Consider for a moment how radical that is. Jesus touched an untouchable, a man whose disease had long isolated him from community. According to Jewish law, Jesus would become unclean if he chose to touch the sick man.

Jesus didn’t care about that. His concern for the leper superseded his concern about ritual cleanness. Love overcame law.

And when Jesus touched the unclean man, the man was immediately clean.

Take heart from this scene in Jesus’ life. You may feel untouchable some days, but Jesus actively pursues you, touches you, and heals you. That is good news!

Lord, I’m grateful that you are willing to touch me and make me clean today! Amen to that!