In Matthew when Jesus heals the leper there is so much more to the story. This man was considered "unclean", an outcast...emaciated, nearly bald, wheezing, face ravaged by ulcers. Lepers back then were required to cry out as they passed through the village, "Unclean! Unclean! Unclean"...to worn the neighborhood. These precious people has to wear torn clothes, let their hair be unkempt & cover the lower part of their face as they lived outside the city alone, forgotten, abandoned. This man was clothed in rags, bandanna over his face, hair dirty and matted and yet he approached Jesus but not too close. What does Jesus do? He touches him. This was not necessary since many had been healed with only the command of His powerful voice YET He touched him. Jesus was moved with compassion & saw the very thing this man needed....a touch. No one had touched him for a very long time. To be starved of human touch is far worse the to starve for bread. The kindness of Jesus is enough alone to make us love Him but also his scandalous freedom. His ministry was just starting, yet He did not care what anyone thought. He loved first, included first, reached out first. He readily defiles Himself to love us above all:) (My paraphrased devotion today from" Beautiful Outlaw")
Posted on: Fri, 14 Jun 2013 00:46:44 +0000
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