Be Clean

Mark 1:40-42 A man with leprosy came to him and begged him on his knees, “If you are willing, you can make me clean.” 41 Filled with compassion, Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!”  42 Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cured.
 
YOU are living a good life. You work or go to school, play sports, enjoy your friends, have time with your children, be close to your spouse. Life has its challenges, and some days they might seem too big to solve. But overall, life is comfortable.
   Then one day there’s a mark on your skin. Your hands seem numb. They bleed easily. You go to the priest. He examines you under God’s law (Leviticus 13), and he tells you, “You have leprosy.” This is not only a diagnosis of a disease, you have been sentenced to a living hell. God’s law says you must leave your loved ones and separate yourself from everyone. When anyone is approaching you, you must cry out, “Unclean! Unclean!” Leviticus 13:45 “The person with such an infectious disease must wear torn clothes, let his hair be unkempt, cover the lower part of his face and cry out, ‘Unclean! Unclean!’ 46 As long as he has the infection he remains unclean. He must live alone; he must live outside the camp.”
   Imagine if you could never go home again. The only people you can touch are those who also have leprosy. You could only see your family from a distance. You would never touch them again as your body disintegrates inch by inch. Think of the horror of the isolation from everyone you love.
   Then one day the rabbi from Nazareth comes. You’ve heard the stories of his healing. Are they true? Dare you beg him? “If you are willing, you can make me clean!”  “Jesus, you can heal me. I’ll be able to hold my wife and children again. I can live again!”
   In his mercy, Jesus declares, “Be clean!” Oh, how unbelievable the joy! You are saved from leprosy’s bondage! The merciful Savior has redeemed your broken body and healed your shattered life.
   Now consider how unforgiven sin and condemnation separates families. Its burdens can force husbands and wives, parents and children from their homes, never to touch their loved ones again. Inch by inch hardening hearts lose the mercy and grace to regenerate lost love.
   Is this you? Do you long to go home? Do you long for the scars to disappear, to hold your loved ones again?
   Have you heard of Jesus? Will you ask him, “If you are willing, make me clean!” You know he is willing. Jesus went to the cross. Jesus’ broken body and shed blood tell you plainly, “Your sins are forgiven.” when you ask him to heal your broken soul.