April 5

Mark 1:35-45 (Click to see scripture)

Bible in One Year Passages:

Journal Entry

Scripture

Mark 1: 40-41 And a leper came to him, imploring him, and kneeling said to him, "If you will, you can make me clean." Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand and touched him and said to him, "I will; be clean."

Observation

"Unclean, unclean" is what the leper should have shouted so that the people would avoid him. Instead, he approached Jesus and knelt in front of him. The disciples and the crowd must have gasped in horror and disgust. Ignoring their repulsion, the leper pleads with Jesus to heal him. He acknowledged that Jesus could heal him if he wanted to. How might I have lived as a leper? Will I live in bitterness, with anger toward God, in self pity, despair ...? The leper had to overcome doubt and fear to approach Jesus with hope.

Jesus was moved deeply and affirmed his love by saying "I will." He heals the leper and does something more: he touches him. He touched the untouchable.

"He touched me! Oh, he touched me and oh the joy that floods my soul! Something happened and now I know, he touched me and made me whole." The leper was not only healed but touched. He was not shunned but accepted. He was so filled with joy that he went out and told everyone about Jesus.

Application

What physical or spiritual maladies do I have? Do I approach God or shy away? God knows our every need and every sin. He will heal us and restore us. He will fill the void that we don't even know exists. He is waiting and wants to heal me. I will approach God today and be restored.

Prayer

Lord God, have mercy on me. I am trapped in my mind with doubts and fears. Only you can free me. Restore me. Thank you for healing my every sin and filling the void in my life. Jesus, thank you for your death and resurrection that made this possible. Holy Spirit, rule over my heart that I can be filled with joy.

--Jason Kim