No Longer an Outcast

No Longer an Outcast

Matthew 8:2-3 (NIV®)

A man with leprosy came and knelt before him and said, “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!”

A man with leprosy has sought Jesus out. Leprosy is treatable today, but in Jesus’ day, it always resulted in disfigurement and eventual death. If you suffered from it and were in public, you had to acknowledge you were unclean so people would not come near you. This man, very much an outcast, says, “Lord, if You’re willing, You can make me clean.” He knows Jesus has the power to heal him—but will He? Then, Jesus does the unthinkable: He reaches out, and touches the man, and declares him healed. This is a story of physical healing, but it is more than that. This is a story of an outcast being welcomed back into his family and community. If you are feeling isolated for whatever reason, know Jesus does not want that for you. He is not only able to bring you back into fellowship with others, He is willing. Ask Him and trust Him to do that.

THINK ABOUT IT

Whenever you feel diminished or isolated, depend on Jesus to comfort and heal you as He expands and broadens your horizons.

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, thank You that, no matter what caused the separation, You are willing to bring Your people back into fellowship with one another. It is there we can find added protection, care, prayer, and love. Help me cooperate with Your proposes. In Jesus’ name, amen.