I would be looking forward to a Merry Christmas if only it was not going to be so lonely. That is the hearts cry from many a people today as we near December 25. In Mark 1:40-45 we see a story of a very lonely leper. This disease of leprosy was common due to the unsanitary conditions of the day and resulted in a very pitiful existence. It ravaged your body causing progressive disfiguration. And ever worse, it resulted in total social exclusions as you were not allowed to be near any non-leper and had to cry out that you were a leper so people would avoid you (Leviticus 13:45-46). The religious leaders blamed the disease on sin in your life, especially that of slander. So not only did you have the burden of the physical disease but you had the emotional scars of everyone thinking that the reason for the leprosy was due to your own sin.
In verse 40 we see that this leper came to Jesus. This was a very bold move on his part. The fact that he came up to Jesus shows that people saw Jesus as more approachable than any other rabbi. The desire of the leper was obvious. He was convinced that Jesus could heal him and there was no presumption in his request as seen in his conditional phrase, “If you are willing.” What a great example this should be to any of us who are struggling with sickness or disease. Our greatest desire ought to be the will of God for our lives and healing is not always God’s will. Yet, this was still a bold request. In Bible times, this disease was seen as incurable. Only twice in the Old Testament did God cleanse a leper (Miriam, Numbers 12:10-15; Namaan, 2 Kings 5:1-14).
So how did the loving Lord respond to this lonely leper? First, He responded with tenderness. Verse 41 tells us that Jesus has compassion on him. And the same is still true today. Even now, Jesus has compassion on lonely, hurting people. Your loneliness can become your best friend when it draws you closer to Jesus. Second, Jesus responded with a touch. Now think about this. Jesus did not have to touch the leper in order to heal him. He could have just spoken the words and it would have happened. So why did Jesus reach out in compassion and touch this man? Chances are good that this leper probably had not been lovingly touched in years. My friend, never underestimate the power of a proper touch. Even if the man had not been healed, this would have been worth it for him. Why? Because knowing the compassion of God is greater than being healed. It is quite probable that the situation that is causing your loneliness this Christmas will not be changed anytime soon. Yet, in the midst of your loneliness you can experience the greatest Christmas gift of all…you can know the compassion of Jesus.
But for this man, a miracle did occur. It was God’s will to heal this leper and so Jesus commanded him to be cleansed. The healing that followed was immediate, complete and visible. Jesus commanded him to tell no one but to go and see the priest. The priest had to verify that you were healed and then you were to offer sacrifices (Leviticus 14). But the leper could not contain himself and started spreading the news to everyone he met. That’s what lonely people do when they come to know the compassion of Jesus. After all, Jesus is a Christmas gift for the lonely.
In verse 40 we see that this leper came to Jesus. This was a very bold move on his part. The fact that he came up to Jesus shows that people saw Jesus as more approachable than any other rabbi. The desire of the leper was obvious. He was convinced that Jesus could heal him and there was no presumption in his request as seen in his conditional phrase, “If you are willing.” What a great example this should be to any of us who are struggling with sickness or disease. Our greatest desire ought to be the will of God for our lives and healing is not always God’s will. Yet, this was still a bold request. In Bible times, this disease was seen as incurable. Only twice in the Old Testament did God cleanse a leper (Miriam, Numbers 12:10-15; Namaan, 2 Kings 5:1-14).
So how did the loving Lord respond to this lonely leper? First, He responded with tenderness. Verse 41 tells us that Jesus has compassion on him. And the same is still true today. Even now, Jesus has compassion on lonely, hurting people. Your loneliness can become your best friend when it draws you closer to Jesus. Second, Jesus responded with a touch. Now think about this. Jesus did not have to touch the leper in order to heal him. He could have just spoken the words and it would have happened. So why did Jesus reach out in compassion and touch this man? Chances are good that this leper probably had not been lovingly touched in years. My friend, never underestimate the power of a proper touch. Even if the man had not been healed, this would have been worth it for him. Why? Because knowing the compassion of God is greater than being healed. It is quite probable that the situation that is causing your loneliness this Christmas will not be changed anytime soon. Yet, in the midst of your loneliness you can experience the greatest Christmas gift of all…you can know the compassion of Jesus.
But for this man, a miracle did occur. It was God’s will to heal this leper and so Jesus commanded him to be cleansed. The healing that followed was immediate, complete and visible. Jesus commanded him to tell no one but to go and see the priest. The priest had to verify that you were healed and then you were to offer sacrifices (Leviticus 14). But the leper could not contain himself and started spreading the news to everyone he met. That’s what lonely people do when they come to know the compassion of Jesus. After all, Jesus is a Christmas gift for the lonely.
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