Monday, October 7, 2013

Week 41 - Day 2

Mark 1-3; Proverbs 9

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The gospel of Mark is different from Matthew in that it is not written specifically to the Jews.  It also focuses on the actions of Jesus as opposed to the words of Jesus.  He makes it clear that the good news of Jesus Christ was for everyone.

The gospel of Mark records many miracles that Jesus performed, but there was one particular story that stood out to me today – the man with leprosy.  Do you remember reading about leprosy back in the Old Testament Law?  It was horrible.  If someone had this disease they were considered unclean and anyone who touched them would be considered unclean as well.  Lepers had to live alone away from everyone, and most believed a person got leprosy because they were sinful and God was punishing them. 

So here’s the part that got me:  “Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man.”  No one touched someone with leprosy, but Jesus did.  He didn’t have to.  There are plenty miracles recorded in the gospels where Jesus just said the word for someone to be healed and they were.  He chose to touch him. 

Can you imagine being that man who had gone so long without any human touch?  Can you imagine being the outcast with no one wanting anything to do with you?  I’m sure when this man with leprosy begged Jesus to make him clean he was probably hoping for a word from Jesus, but he got so much more, the compassionate touch from the hand of Jesus. 

We as believers and followers of Jesus are supposed to be the hands and feet of Jesus in this world.  That means reaching out a hand of compassion and touching the life of one considered untouchable. 

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