40 A man with leprosy came and knelt in front of Jesus, begging to be healed. “If you are willing, you can heal me and make me clean,” he said.
41 Moved with compassion, Jesus reached out and touched him. “I am willing,” he said. “Be healed!” 42 Instantly the leprosy disappeared, and the man was healed. Mark 1:40-42 NLTJohnnie Moore in his book 'Dirty God' writes a powerful narrative taken from the perspective of the leper;
Jesus stopped and looked in my direction as did dozens of others.
A flood of fear swept across the faces…children ducked behind their parents.
“Unclean” someone shouted.
Again, I don’t blame them. I was a huddled mass of death.
But I scarcely heard them.
I scarcely saw them.
Their panic I had seen a thousand times.
His compassion, however, I’d never beheld.
Everyone stepped back except Him. He stepped toward me.
Toward me!
Five years ago, my wife stepped toward me.
She was the last one to do so.
Now, He did.
I did not move.
I just spoke.
“Lord, you can heal me if you will.”
Had He healed me with a word I would have been thrilled.
Had He cured me with a prayer I would have rejoiced.
But He wasn’t satisfied with speaking to me.
He drew near to me. He touched me.
Five years ago wife had touched me.
No one had touched me since…until today.
Grace and God’s power are friends with one another. It is not a weak God who associates with weak people, it is a strong God attracted to the opportunity to be powerful in their weakness.
Grace does not show God’s weakness, but His incredible strength.
Amen
RP
