Mark 1:40-45 (NRSV)
Read Mark 1:40-45 on biblegateway.com
Verse 40A leper came to him begging him, and kneeling he said to him, "If you choose, you can make me clean." Verse 41Moved with pity, Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, and said to him, "I do choose. Be made clean!" Verse 42Immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean. Verse 43After sternly warning him he sent him away at once, Verse 44saying 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." Verse 45But 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.
Devotion
While growing up in India, I saw many leper colonies from afar. I’ve seen lepers beg in the streets and have talked to some leprosy patients. Even in the 21st century, life for them is not easy. In many ways, they still live in exile from the mainstream of society.
In Jesus' time lepers’ lives were miserable. They were outcasts — untouchables. In many ways they were not only separated from God's people, they were separated from God. Today we read about a leper who gathers all his strength and courage to go to Jesus and say, "If you choose, you can make me clean." He trusted in Jesus, the one who could make him physically and spiritually clean.
As he came and asked, he was made clean and began to witness to life in Christ. We who have been touched and made clean by our Lord Jesus Christ are also called to witness his forgiveness, grace and love to others.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, we come to you and seek your touch in our lives. Grant us courage to trust in you and draw to yourself those who need your touch. Amen.