“Make Me Clean.”

A leper came to him begging him, and kneeling he said to him, “If you choose, you can make me clean.” Moved with pity, Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, and said to him, “I do choose. Be made clean!” Immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean. After sternly warning him he sent him away at once, saying to him, “See that you say nothing to anyone; but go, show yourself to the priest, and offer for your cleansing what Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.” But he went out and began to proclaim it freely, and to spread the word, so that Jesus could no longer go into a town openly, but stayed out in the country; and people came to him from every quarter.

Mark 1:40-45

We can’t imagine how much people tried to stay away from those with leprosy. Lepers wore bandannas covering their nose and mouths. Their garments were torn, and the skin peeled away from their bodies. The crowd around Jesus scattered as the leper charged into their midst. Everyone was afraid of being touched by him because they themselves would then become unclean. Lepers were barred from the religious life of the community, isolated from society, and compelled to mourn their own death by tearing their clothes.

But this leper threw himself at the feet of Jesus, appealing to Him out of desperation and faith to restore him to wholeness. Jesus healed the man of his leprosy and told him to show himself to the temple priest.

Jesus has the power to cleanse us today. He can forgive, and restore those who are hopelessly and helplessly caught up in their sin and can see no way out.

Jesus specializes in restoration.

Our Daily Bread – March 30, 2009