ON YOUR MARK: WEEK 2 DAY 1

MARK 1:40-45

JESUS CLEANSES A LEPER

40 And a leper came to him, imploring him, and kneeling said to him, “If you will, you can make me clean.” 41 Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand and touched him and said to him, “I will; be clean.” 42 And immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean. 43 And Jesus sternly charged him and sent him away at once, 44 and said to him, “See that you say nothing to anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offe r fo r yo u r c l e a n s i n g wh a t Mo s e s commanded, for a proof to them.” 45 But he went out and began to talk freely about it, and to spread the news, so that Jesus could no longer openly enter a town, but was out in desolate places, and people were coming to him from every quarter.

I ONLY use a particular dry cleaner. If I am being honest, they are not the best, but several years ago I forgot to pick up a suit during open hours and I needed it that evening. I tracked the owners down, called and begged them to let me pick it up; they did and all was well. When I need something dry cleaned now, I only go to this one specific dry cleaner because they helped me in a desperate moment.

The sick man in the text today received his heart's desire when he was healed, but he was not willing to obey Jesus' instructions. Have you ever received something from the Lord that you have wanted for so long, only to ignore His request of you immediately after receiving? Are you loyal to Jesus? Just remember when you were far from God, restless with a leprosy of the soul, that when you came to Him, He forgave your sins, made you new and gave you the Holy Spirit to lead and guide you in this new life. We should make room in our hearts to listen for the instructions of Jesus; He has always been faithful.