|
The Corner
Dear readers, It is so easy to be preoccupied with life and all the things going on that there are times when I am driving that I just like to sit quietly in the car as I travel down the road. On one such occasion, I found myself thinking about what Jesus has done in my life. The Holy Spirit brought to remembrance the story of the leper who came to Jesus for a healing. This man had been shunned by society and lived as an untouchable outcast. Since there was no cure for leprosy, he had no hope; it was just a matter of time as the leprosy slowly killed him. I’m sure he had heard of all the various miracles Jesus had performed and maybe, just maybe this Jesus could heal him too. On the day he finally met Jesus, he knelt down in front of Him and said, “If thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.” (Mark 1:40) Jesus looked upon this leper with compassion not revulsion and then did something unheard of in that day; He reached out His hand and touched this man with scarred and oozing skin and said, “I will; be thou clean.” (1:41) I found those words particularly comforting that day as I meditated on them. Just a few simple words, “If You will…” This leprous man was filled with despair but still had enough faith to go to Jesus. More importantly, Jesus didn’t turn him away. That is what stood out to me that day as I was driving, if we come to Jesus, He won’t turn us away. Jesus can make us clean from anything and everything, and more importantly, He is willing to do that. That was His purpose for coming here on earth, to save us, He was willing. Jesus did the hard part by coming to the earth and dying on the cross, now just like with the leper, He stands waiting for us. When we come to Him with our needs, we can be assured that we will receive the same answer. (Hebrews 13:8) But the story doesn’t end there. After the leper was healed and later presented himself to a priest to prove that he was clean and no longer leprous, he went about proclaiming what Jesus had done for him. In much the same way, every Sunday morning during the service at Resurrection Life of Jesus Church, we always set aside time for those who wish to share what God has been doing in their life. It’s really an opportunity to brag about Jesus! This is precisely what this man did, he went around bragging, he couldn’t help himself! I would like to note that the former leper didn’t just testify in the synagogue, he went all over town telling everybody about Jesus. After all, leprosy in those days was incurable, at least to man, but with God all things are possible. (Luke 1:37) This man was filled with joy and excitement and he wanted to share it will everyone that could hear the sound of his voice. He had been through a life changing experience! This leads me to ponder how much more we can do for Jesus in our every day lives. It is estimated that 150,000 people around the world die every day. I wonder how many of them heard about Jesus? I’m not so much concerned if they rejected Him or not, but how many of them actually got to hear the good news of the Gospel that “if you will” come to Jesus, He will save you! I think we as Christians would be dismayed if we knew the number. Life here on earth is very short when compared to eternity. How are you investing your time? May God richly bless you today,
Charles Thorell |
