JESUS, OUR SUCCOR LUKE 5:12-16 KEY VERSE: “And he put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will: be thou clean. And immediately the leprosy departed from him” (Luke 5:13). John Paton and his family, missionaries in the New Hebrides Islands, did not know other helper except Jesus Christ. One night, as some hostile natives surrounded their mission station, with intent to kill them, they cried to God. Immediately, God intervened, stopping the hands of the enemies. In the morning, Paton could only see the attackers leaving without carrying out their evil plot. The chief of the tribe eventually gave his life to Christ. One day, as Paton remembered the incident, out of curiosity, he asked the chief why the natives could not kill him with his family as they had planned. The chief said he was afraid when he saw hundreds of men in shining garments with drawn swords, circling the mission station, to defend Paton and his family. That was God in action, ever ready to help those who diligently put their trust in Him. The man, in our text, was said to be full of leprosy. Leprosy is a dreadful disease, just as sin is to the soul. Lepers, ordinarily, were not allowed to come into the city, but this man was where he should not have been, perhaps searching for Jesus. He had a strong conviction and confidence in Christ as his only helper. When the man saw Him, he quickly seized the opportunity, saying: “Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.” Even though the man had a dreadful disease, Jesus put forth His hand and touched him, saying, “I will: be thou clean.” Christ’s response shows His compassion and willingness not only to heal, but also to meet all our needs. Christ’s instruction that the man should show himself to the priest was for him to be pronounced clean, as demanded by the law. The man obeyed as he publicized Jesus all along the way. Many, today, hardly seek Christ with a pure heart, but trust in their wealth and lying prophets. Step out of the multitude of mere followers and boldly proclaim your faith in the Lord. THOUGHT FOR THE DAY Anything under God’s control is never out of control.
Posted on: Mon, 24 Jun 2013 04:38:15 +0000
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