Thoughts for the Day

When Jesus had come down from the mountain, great crowds followed him, and there was a leper who came to him and knelt before him, saying, 'Lord, if you choose, you can make me clean.' He stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, 'I do choose. Be made clean!' Immediately his leprosy was cleansed.

Then Jesus said to him, 'See that you say nothing to anyone; but go, show yourself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.'

(Church in Wales Lectionary, from the New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

This story of Jesus and the leper is full of interesting things. Leprosy is a horrible disease, and lepers were shunned by everyone, and would keep to the outskirts of a crowd. Yet here the man pushes through the crowd. Kneeling before Jesus he calls him "Lord", a term used in the Bible for both a King or for God. He is acknowledging Jesus as the Messiah, and Jesus allows this!

The man's belief in Jesus is complete, he doesn't demand a cure, but acknowledges that Jesus can make him clean. He allows Jesus to make the decision, and amazingly, Jesus reaches out to touch him. No Jew would want to become unclean by doing this, but Jesus doesn't hesitate. When the man is cured, Jesus instructs him to abide by the Law of Moses and to show himself to the priest, who can declare him clean and take his gift as prescribed.

Today, when you pray to God, ask yourself:

• Do I truly believe God can answer my prayer?
• Am I content to let God decide the outcome by adding, "If you will, Lord"?
• What gift could I make when the prayer is answered?

Wednesday 18th November, follow up thoughts

Lord Jesus,
enable us to have the faith
to ask You for help
but allow You to
choose what we need.
Help us to accept Your decision,
and to back a gift.
Amen.