God’s Mission
Matthew 8:2-3
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.
Leprosy has long been a spiritual parallel for the nature of sin in man. Like sin, leprosy has outward symptoms but is primarily an inward issue. We are not sinners because we sin; our outward sin is evidence of inner sinful nature.
Leprosy is also known to numb the body to other pain that is harmful or even deadly. So too, sin can numb our conscience to what is harmful to our soul. We could substitute the word sin for leprosy in Matthew 8:1-4 and it would still be quite accurate:
A man with leprosy sin 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 sin .
Did you see Jesus touch the leper/sinner? People would avoid lepers, but not Jesus. For Jews it was both physically and spiritually contagious, and to be avoided “like the plague.”
But just as Jesus was the cure for the man’s leprosy – and willing to cleanse him, so He is the cure for sin – and is willing to cleanse us too:
Titus 3:5-7 (NIV)
He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.
Prayer
Father God, it was Your will that we become Your heirs, having the hope of eternal life. It was Your will that we become justified (cleansed) through grace which You so generously poured out on through Jesus Christ our Savior. Thank You for making us clean through Jesus. Amen
Micro-Meditation Scripture
Psalm 119:25-32 (Daleth, 4th letter)
- I am laid low in the dust;
preserve my life according to your word. - I gave an account of my ways and you answered me; teach me your decrees.
- Cause me to understand
the way of your precepts, that I may meditate on your wonderful deeds. - My soul is weary with sorrow;
strengthen me according to your word. - Keep me from deceitful ways;
be gracious to me and teach me your law. - I have chosen the way of faithfulness;
I have set my heart on your laws. - I hold fast to your statutes, LORD;
do not let me be put to shame. - I run in the path of your commands,
for you have broadened my understanding.
Micro-Meditation
Teaching or Command of God
Joel 2:12
“Even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.”
Matthew 12:36
I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken.
Micro-Meditation
Pondering Point
Meditate (and journal) on a time God taught you a lesson of being humbled, laid low in the dust?
Journal Prompt:
When did God teach you a lesson
of being humbled, laid low in the
dust?
