“Jesus Is The All Weather Friend!”

“Jesus Is The All Weather Friend!”
A leper came to Jesus “and begged him on his knees, ‘If you are willing, you can make me clean'” (Mk.1:40-45). Why did he not just tell Jesus to heal him? Well, probably because he was ‘an untouchable!’ Both in Africa as in Europe and elsewhere lepers were treated like outcasts! And it was not different with the Jews.
The law of Moses prescribed that a person with leprosy “must wear torn clothes, let his hair be unkempt, cover the lower part of his face, and cry out, Unclean! Unclean! As long as he has the infection, he must live alone, he must live outside the camp” (Lev.13:45-46).
Both the leper and Jesus knew of this Mosaic law that to touch a leper was an act of defilement. If Jesus was like the religious authorities of his day he wouldn’t have touched the leper. Besides, he had the power just to say the word and the healing would take place. Jesus was filled with compassion, so “he reached out his hand and touched the man” saying, “I am willing. Be clean!” The man was cured.
The Mosaic law stated that only a priest could comfirm that someone had been healed of leprosy (Lev.13:6,13,17,23). That is why Jesus told him not to tell anyone but to go and present himself to the priest and offer the necessary sacrifices for cleansing. “The sacrifices were to be evidence to the priests and the people that the cure was real and that Jesus respected the law. The healing was also a testimony to Jesus’ divine power since the Jews believed that only God could cure leprosy (see II Kgs 5:1-14).
We are not far removed from that time of ignorance as some may consider. People are still being stigmatized and discriminated upon because of certain health conditions. Some are being socially distanced because of their social positioning by society. All these for no fault of theirs.
Yes my friend, one way or the other there is something for which you are being isolated. The compassionate Jesus is there, ever willing to touch you and turn your story around. Come to him and experience the wholesome touch! And when Jesus has touched and changed your story do not forget to come back and offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving as testimony of what the Lord has done for you.
Prayer: Thank you Lord Jesus Christ for your life transforming touch upon my life. Amen!
Have a blessed day! Peace be with you!