Matthew 7:28- 8:4 (click here to read the story)
Jesus just finished speaking to a multitudes of people, and they were "astonished at His teaching for He taught them as one having authority"
When He came down from the mountain, "great multitudes followed Him." And guess what happened next?!!!
A LEPER.
A LEPER came and worshiped Him!! A LEPER!!
Lepers were outcast and were forced to live with other lepers for fear of others catching leprosy! This means they were alone, secluded from family, friends. civilization, and life as they knew it.
This particular Leper, however, was BOLD and did not care what others thought! Or, so I assume. He went in the midst of the MULTITUDES, not a crowd but MULTITUDES, and
fell down and worshiped Jesus!!
He called Him Lord! He came with not only boldness but also, much faith, and desperation! He knew what Jesus was capable of doing!
He said, "Lord if You are willing, You can make me clean!"
I want you to close your eyes for a minute if you will, and begin to envision this TRUE story taking place right before your very own eyes! Remember this guy is a Leper! People are afraid to be around his kind for fear of catching this disease!
Got a vision yet?! OK, good! Let's continue.
The Leper knew what Jesus was capable of doing! He said, "Lord if You are willing, You can make me clean!"
What was Jesus' response?! He REACHED OUT AND TOUCHED HIM!
Imagine the horror on people's faces!! People may have fainted!
'How dare He touch him!'
'How can He be the Messiah and touching a leper! Does He not know what He has just done?!'
'He's diseased, dirty. Doesn't He know what touching him could do?'
YES! I believe Jesus knew exactly what TOUCHING him would cause.
When Jesus touched him, He said " I Am willing; be cleansed. Immediately his leprosy was cleansed."
Jesus very well could have just SPOKE these words of healing without needing to touch him. But, instead, He chose to REACH OUT and TOUCH HIM! Why?
He knew the emotional, mental, and physical pain this person had endured because of the disease. This man has not just ONLY encountered a physical healing, but one that would stay with him forever! A LOVE ENCOUNTER! Jesus touched his heart!
And then you hear about Jesus! The only hope you have left! Only One Who can heal you and bring your loved ones back and life as you know it!
So you run to Him, even if the multitudes of people are pushing you down, runs away from you afraid to be touched by you, spitting on you, insulting you, calling you all kinds of names.
Finally, you make it to the feet of Jesus and kneel down in worship, full of hurt, desperation, and hope! And in return, He sees you with compassion! He gives you genuine EYE CONTACT! Not only does He gives you eye contact, but then He listens to you, and He reaches out and touches you, and says He's willing to free you from all that is holding you captive!
Suddenly, you begin to feel this liquid love fill your soul, and begin to feel a sudden peace in your heart, and strength in places you haven't felt strength in a long time! And BOOM! You realize you've been healed instantly!
Your heart was encountered FIRST!
HE TOUCHED AND SHOWED YOU LOVE AND COMPASSION WHEN NO ONE ELSE WOULD!
You guys, this is LOVE! Love that Jesus came to give, and same kind of LOVE He asked us to BE!
Ask yourself, who in your life is hard to love right now? Just like Jesus was to the Leper, you may be the ONLY Love source available in that person's life right NOW!
Seek and ask God that He will help you to BECOME love to that person right now! To show the heart of the Father. They're in your life for a reason. He has entrusted you with their heart! Love it! Love them!
What's Your Story? Share with me in the comments how this story may have impacted your life! Can you remember a time when it may seemed as if you were in the 'Leper's' shoes, and the only person to show you love was Jesus?! Or, maybe you encountered Jesus through another person showing you the Love of the Father in that situation? Please, share it below! Love hearing stories how Jesus works in your lives! :)
Always with Love,
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