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David Scudder
DaveBethel at gmail dot com Sr. Pastor of Bethel Chapel Church
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Have you ever felt like you would never get clean again? I was working with some roofing tar once and I got it on my hands and my clothes. I thought it would never come off. I scrubbed and scrubbed until my skin was almost raw. The clothes I had to throw away. But what about dirt on the soul? Have you ever felt like you would never be clean on the inside again? You’ve done something you are ashamed of and you can’t seem to erase the stain it has left on your life. Let me share a true story with you that should encourage you.
When we meet Jesus in Matthew chapter 8 He has just finished preaching what many believe is the best sermon ever delivered in the history of the world. We call it The Sermon on the Mount. Jesus made some amazing claims in that sermon. For example, He said He was the ultimate judge of the world (see Matthew 7:21-23). Could that possibly be true? Is there any way for Jesus to prove that He was as powerful as He said He was?
Jesus wasted no time proving His power as well as His compassion. A leper met Jesus and humbly asked for healing. Leprosy was the most feared disease in those days. It was not only highly contagious, but it was a horrible thing to endure. It caused tumor like swellings all over the body. Often fingers, toes, ears and noses would eventually fall off. The sores also gave off a disgusting smell. Lepers not only endured great pain and suffering, they were also forced to live separate from all of society in leper colonies. What an awful and lonely life!
This particular leper heard that Jesus was near so he approached Jesus and, “bowed down before Him, and said, ‘Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean’” (Matthew 8:2). Jesus not only instantly cured the incurable; He also reached out and touched the untouchable. Notice how Matthew describes it: “Jesus stretched out His hand and touched him, saying, ‘I am willing; be cleansed.’ And immediately his leprosy was cleansed” (Matthew 8:3). Imagine, Jesus was willing to give this man a human touch that he probably hadn’t had in years.
That’s how Jesus loves to work. When anyone comes to Him and humbly asks for a miraculous cleansing of an ugly stain on the heart that just won’t go away, Jesus will remove it. Jesus can make us clean before God. The Bible calls it being justified: “to the one who does not work, but believes in [Jesus] who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness” (Romans 4:5). That is called the Gospel, or good news in the Bible. If you need some good news, seek Christ. If I can encourage you in any way, please let me know. Jesus wants to touch you too.
When we meet Jesus in Matthew chapter 8 He has just finished preaching what many believe is the best sermon ever delivered in the history of the world. We call it The Sermon on the Mount. Jesus made some amazing claims in that sermon. For example, He said He was the ultimate judge of the world (see Matthew 7:21-23). Could that possibly be true? Is there any way for Jesus to prove that He was as powerful as He said He was?
Jesus wasted no time proving His power as well as His compassion. A leper met Jesus and humbly asked for healing. Leprosy was the most feared disease in those days. It was not only highly contagious, but it was a horrible thing to endure. It caused tumor like swellings all over the body. Often fingers, toes, ears and noses would eventually fall off. The sores also gave off a disgusting smell. Lepers not only endured great pain and suffering, they were also forced to live separate from all of society in leper colonies. What an awful and lonely life!
This particular leper heard that Jesus was near so he approached Jesus and, “bowed down before Him, and said, ‘Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean’” (Matthew 8:2). Jesus not only instantly cured the incurable; He also reached out and touched the untouchable. Notice how Matthew describes it: “Jesus stretched out His hand and touched him, saying, ‘I am willing; be cleansed.’ And immediately his leprosy was cleansed” (Matthew 8:3). Imagine, Jesus was willing to give this man a human touch that he probably hadn’t had in years.
That’s how Jesus loves to work. When anyone comes to Him and humbly asks for a miraculous cleansing of an ugly stain on the heart that just won’t go away, Jesus will remove it. Jesus can make us clean before God. The Bible calls it being justified: “to the one who does not work, but believes in [Jesus] who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness” (Romans 4:5). That is called the Gospel, or good news in the Bible. If you need some good news, seek Christ. If I can encourage you in any way, please let me know. Jesus wants to touch you too.
COMMENTS
Melissa on 2009-12-11 15:19:41
Thanks for this message, Pastor. It is a good thing for all of us to remember.
I have always like that scene, and that Jesus reached down and touched the man who hadn't been touched by another person in perhaps years. Christ has always been so, willing to reach down and touch those lost in filth or disease.
And praise Him that this is true! How else could he save someone like me.
Thanks for this message, Pastor. It is a good thing for all of us to remember.
I have always like that scene, and that Jesus reached down and touched the man who hadn't been touched by another person in perhaps years. Christ has always been so, willing to reach down and touch those lost in filth or disease.
And praise Him that this is true! How else could he save someone like me.
