# 16 - The Book of Mark - Desperate for Jesus

 Mark: 1: 39-41

And he preached in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, and cast out devils

And there came a leper to him, beseeching him, and kneeling down to him, and saying unto him, if thou wilt, though canst make me clean.

And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth his hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, I will: be thou clean.

And as soon as he had spoken, immediately the leprosy departed from him, and he was cleansed.

In the last post                                                                                    Moments: #15 - The Book of Mark - A Need to Pray (seeingglassdrarkly.blogspot.com , 

Jesus had gone apart early to pray and when the disciples found Him, they told Him "All men seek ye." But Jesus had been talking to the Father and without further ado, told them, He was going to preach in other towns.  His ministry would not be limited

In this expanded ministry, "there came a leper." Leprosy was a terrible thing in those days.  A sort of rotting disease of the skin, it rendered a man or woman unclean.  They were banished from the fellowship of their society. They were cut off and had to live outside the camp.  And this leper approached   and spoke to Jesus.  

That was against the law, but I might guess he thought what did he have to lose?  He was already marked for social isolation, a painful life of humiliating disease, and ultimately death.  But something about Jesus gave him a glimmer of hope, and just enough faith to risk more rebuke and punishment.  Something about Jesus said He was the real deal and he had nothing to lose.  Sometimes that is how we come to know Jesus to begin with, when there is no other good choice. And later you find that the only good choice was the absolute best choice you could have made if you had had many more options.  I only regret I didn't make that best choice earlier. 

And the leper kneeled down to Him.  The posture shows respect, humility, faith, and hope before God.  The leper was all in with Jesus.   No holding back; no turning back.  If any one of us have any hope for eternity or any chance in this life at all, it is because of Jesus.  Life can be scary a lot of the time and we need to know a Saviour to reach out to.  As Peter said when he started sinking while walking on the water; "Lord, save me!" 

 He told Jesus essentially that I believe that if you choose to save me you can.   His heart was moved with compassion at the desperate hope of the leper and Jesus touched Him.  Lepers were unclean in those day and not touched. What does that tell you about God?  Could it say that you can't get so sick with the disease of sin, or your life get so pitiful, diseased, and distorted, God still love you.  When you desperately want to be healed, desperate enough to risk what's left of yourself bow to Jesus in faith and repentance, Jesus will say, "I will; be thou clean."   God loves you. In Jesus name; Amen



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