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But notice that Jesus’ ultimate priority was prayer.
But Jesus Himself would often slip away to the wilderness and pray. (NASB) Luke 5:16 Even Jesus had to escape in order to pray. Have you ever noticed how “things” get in the way and crowd out your prayer life? Jesus would slip away. He would escape in order to pray. It is a great pattern for us to follow.
Conclusion. What did the disciples learn from the One whom they were following during this event? They learned that Jesus loves those that others would reject - even lepers. They learned that Jesus would not move away from one who needed to be loved. They learned that Jesus had great compassion. They learned that He was willing to reach out and touch a pleading man whom they would avoid. Jesus touched a leper! But these disciples would not have done that. They would have pulled away just as the rabbis had taught them.
Jesus touched a leper! Jesus reached out and comforted a man who had probably not been touched for many years. Jesus touched a man who needed to know that someone loved him enough to touch him. Jesus did.
Today, Jesus is still touching lepers - us! Jesus forgives our sins. He heals us. He comforts us. He rescues us: and when our lives are over, He takes us home. We are all sinners in this life. We are just like the leper. We are in great need. Because of His great compassion, He reaches out and forgives us when we believe in Him. Jesus is in the business of touching those who are in need. He touches us too!
We will close with this poem from Jess Moody,
Have you ever taken a real trip down inside the broken heart of a friend? To feel the sob of the soul - the raw, red crucible of emotional agony? To have this become almost as much yours as that of your soul-crushed neighbor? Then, to sit down with him/her - silently weep? This is the beginning of compassion. (modified quote by Lloyd Cory, Quote Uniquote) That is what Jesus does for each one us. He touches lepers!
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| Life & Heart of Jesus | |||||
