(Source from The Word Among Us)

A leper came to Jesus. (Mark 1:40)

Jesus’ disciples must have recoiled when they saw the man approaching. Everyone feared the dreaded disease that he was obviously suffering from. Sure, showing signs of leprosy would make someone ritually unclean (Leviticus 13:46). But it was also deadly and thought to be very contagious. That’s why the Book of Leviticus had so many regulations to keep those suffering from leprosy isolated from society. No one wanted to risk contracting the disease!

So why did Jesus reach out to touch this man? Why didn’t he shrink back or turn aside? Because he was not afraid of the disease or the uncleanness. He could not be harmed or made unclean by any infirmity. Quite the opposite: Jesus had come to heal and restore all people. He could see beyond the disease and reach out to cleanse this beloved child of God. And by healing him, Jesus brought the man back into society. 

Jesus isn’t afraid to reach out to us, either. While we might not be afflicted with leprosy, there is something that can cut us off from God and isolate us from other people: our sin. But on the cross, Jesus took on himself our sins and those of the whole world. By his resurrection, he destroyed the power of sin and death. Sin has no hold on him, and he does not fear it. Each time we come to him in repentance, seeking healing and restoration, he replies to us as he did to the man with leprosy: “I do will it. Be made clean” (Mark 1:41).

So come to Jesus with your sins. Bring to him your isolation and suffering. He won’t pull away from you. He is the pure One who removes all of your impurity. He is the holy One who takes on your sin and strips it of its power over you. Like the man suffering from leprosy, don’t be afraid to approach Jesus. Let him bring you restoration and healing!

“Jesus, in my weakness and need, I come to you! Cleanse me and make me whole.”