Verse of the Day 4/2

Through the Bible - Judges 11-12, Luke 9:38-62

Good morning,
There is a book that has been out for a while entitled "The Audacity of Hope" which was taken from a message from a pastor who has been in the news lately. I have not read the book or the message so I wont comment on them.
Reading in Matthew chapter 8 I came across a New Testament example of "the audacity of hope". It is the account of a leper that approached Jesus for healing.
Lepers were outcasts of society during those days, moreso than people who had aids when it first surfaced. They were forced to live in isolation or in leper colonies. They couldn't worship, do business, or have any kind of "normal" life interacting with others.
This being the case the leper in this passage acts with "the audacity of hope" in approaching Jesus. He is his only hope. Despite others that would be thinking and saying "how dare him" come among the throng surrounding Jesus, he pushes forward not only in hope, but in faith, believing that Jesus would be willing to do for him what no one else could.
Matt 8:2 And behold, a leper came and worshiped Him, saying, "Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean."

3 Then Jesus put out His hand and touched him, saying, "I am willing; be cleansed." Immediately his leprosy was cleansed. NKJV
Jesus could have healed him with His word alone, but He chose to reach out and touch the man. It would have made Him ceremonially "unclean", but He is not defiled. Instead this contact with an "unclean" man purifies and heals the man.
The lesson before us today is that even the vilest sinner can approach, can turn to Jesus for cleansing, for healing, for restoration, and for salvation. But they must come to Him in faith, believing that He can accomplish what no one else can.
I've heard personal testimonies that, while not being as miraculous as being cured of leprosy, nonetheless are miracles in themselves of what Jesus can and will still do for those that will come to Him and surrender their lives to Him.
Have you been praying for someone who has seemed beyond hope? Keep praying, keep hoping and keep reaching out.
It's a short passage which ends with the leper being "a testimony" to others including his priest.

In Christ,
Mike
mikevw@bellsouth.net

Matt 8:1-5

Jesus Cleanses a Leper
(Mark 1:40-45; Luke 5:12-16)

1When He had come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed Him. 2 And behold, a leper came and worshiped Him, saying, "Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean."

3 Then Jesus put out His hand and touched him, saying, "I am willing; be cleansed." Immediately his leprosy was cleansed.
4 And Jesus said to him, "See that you tell no one; but go your way, show yourself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, as a testimony to them."


NKJV