Luke 5:12-13 - Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean

While Jesus was in one of the towns, a man came along who was covered with leprosy. When he saw Jesus, he fell with his face to the ground and begged him, "Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean." Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. "I am willing," he said. "Be clean!" And immediately the leprosy left him.

To be covered with leprosy was a grotesque site. This man had undoubtedly become accustomed to rejection. He projects this rejection upon Jesus when he says, "if you are willing..." Notice how Jesus responds directly to his pain, "I am willing", then he reaches past his rejection and touches him.

What have we projected upon our Lord? Maybe our own rejection? Stinginess? Anger? Jesus is still stretching out His hand to touch our uncleanness. Jesus Christ came to reveal the Father, and that true understanding will cleanse us of the misconceptions that we have thrust upon Him.

Today's commentary by:
Dave Whitehead, Senior Pastor, GraceNYC.org

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Isaiah 1:17 - Defend the cause of the fatherless

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Isaiah 1:17

learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow.

Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.

Concern for orphans and widows in need is a demonstration of godliness (James 1:27). Children and widows are often powerless in a hostile world and need caring individuals to speak and act on their behalf. Because God cares deeply for poor orphans and widows, so should we!

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