Daily Devotionals
july 14, 2021
Our Peachtree Church email devotionals this week, July 12-16, will be written by the staff of Peachtree’s Creative Team.
A man with leprosy came and knelt before him and said, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.” Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” Immediately he was cleansed of his leprosy.
Matthew 8:2-3
I have been a believer for many years. As I read this scripture, I see Jesus doing something that I simply expect Him to do: bring about healing. I mean, that's what Jesus does. He heals and transforms people. However, what stood out to me this particular time was WHY He healed the man with leprosy. This man, an outcast who felt shame for his disease, knelt down and asked Jesus if He was willing to heal him. In other words, he asked if his situation was out of the scope or reach of Jesus. He knelt down and asked Jesus to work in his life. I love how Jesus responded, “I am willing.” So simple and profound. Then without hesitation, Jesus reaches out, touches the man, and heals him.
I think it’s easy to ignore the fact that leprosy is an “ugly” disease. In fact, touching the leper would make Jesus ceremoniously unclean. But without hesitation, Jesus reaches out and heals the “ugly.” We far too often forget there is nothing too "ugly" in our lives or in the lives of others that Jesus can’t heal. All He needs is for us to kneel before Him and cast away our guilt, shame, and pride. When we acknowledge who He is and ask Him for His healing, Jesus’s response is always, “I am willing.”
For Reflection
Is there an area of your life about which you are embarrassed and afraid to let Jesus reach in, touch, and heal?
Are there any people God has placed around you who need this truth shared with them?
Prayer
Lord, I thank You that You are always willing to get into our mess, heal our ugly, and bring glory to Your name. I pray I will not forget that You have the power to heal. Help me to remind those around me that You are always willing and able to heal them. In the name of Jesus, Amen.
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