When was the last time you received Jesus' touch?
"And a leper came to him, imploring him, and kneeling said to him, 'If you will, you can make me clean.' Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand and touched him and said to him, 'I will; be clean.' And immediately, leprosy left him, and he was made clean." Mark 1:40-42
I wonder how long it had been since the man with leprosy felt the touch of another. How long was he unclean and afflicted with this horrific disease before meeting Jesus?
We see the leper kneel before Jesus hoping to receive healing, but receives so much more. Jesus could have restored the man without touching him, but I'm willing to speculate Jesus touched the man because, besides physically healing, it was what he needed the most. He needed to feel accepted, worthy, human, normal and loved. His heart and soul required just as much healing as his physical body, precisely what Jesus offered by his touch.
Jesus is always available. How often do you respond like the leper and position yourself before Jesus, ready to receive his touch? It's not leprosy that afflicts you, but what about discouragement, anxiety, worry, stress, fear, anger, unworthiness, low self-esteem, sadness, spiritual weakness, doubt, sin, ______?
I know there are times in my life, and I'm sure you can relate, that I need his touch and healing over my life. It's those moments at his feet where I find comfort and freedom. Wherever you find yourself today, the Savior of the World wants to help you.
It gives me chills writing those words. What an amazing God we serve!
I encourage you to take some time to kneel before Jesus and receive what he has for you. I kneel before him now and share some pain in my life that I need to give him so I can accept his hand of love and spiritual healing. Will you join me?
Like the leper, we will receive exactly what we need. Jesus has a way of exceeding our expectations.
Blessings,
Caleb Elrod
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