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CHRIST HEALS A LEPER - THE DAILY FOUNTAIN DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE OF THE CHURCH OF NIGERIA (ANGLICAN COMMUNION)

THE DAILY FOUNTAIN DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE OF THE CHURCH OF NIGERIA (ANGLICAN COMMUNION)

DATE: SUNDAY, 30TH JANUARY, 2022 (FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY) 

TOPIC: CHRIST HEALS A LEPER 

TEXT: MARK 1:40-45

40.  Now a leper came to Him, imploring Him, kneeling down to Him and saying to Him, "If You are willing, You can make me clean."
41.  Then Jesus, moved with compassion, stretched out [His] hand and touched him, and said to him, "I am willing; be cleansed."
42.  As soon as He had spoken, immediately the leprosy left him, and he was cleansed.
43.  And He strictly warned him and sent him away at once,
44.  and said to him, "See that you say nothing to anyone; but go your way, show yourself to the priest, and offer for your cleansing those things which Moses commanded, as a testimony to them."
45.  However, he went out and began to proclaim [it] freely, and to spread the matter, so that Jesus could no longer openly enter the city, but was outside in deserted places; and they came to Him from every direction.

MESSAGE:
In the Old Testament times, being a leper meant that like many today, one lived in quarantine. Then, as now, anyone suffering from any form of contagious, terminal diseases met with discrimination. In those days, that meant physical as well as social distancing. "If you will," the leper pleaded. "You can make me clean" - an act of pure submission and humility, or was it? By imposing his desire on Jesus, the man put Jesus at risk of a different type of contagiousness of other people's selfishness! It was not really about Jesus' will; rather it was about the man's desire versus God's plans for Jesus ministry. For, after receiving the healing, the man ignored Jesus stern command to keep what had happened a secret. The man's actions cost Jesus. Their roles were somewhat reversed, The man was welcomed in society and could mix and mingle with everyone; while Jesus had to avoid the crowds. Even then, people found Jesus wherever He was.

When we try to impose our will above God's purposes, the consequence is often detrimental. It may not seem obvious to us, as the cost may not be ours. During this COVID-19 pandemic, we find that our choices and acts of disobedience - partying by some as well as unmasking during worship - are often against the law of the land and God's plan. This has cost many their lives and livelihood. Instead of our own desires, we must always choose to obey God's plan. 

PRAYER: 
O God, grant me the grace to always choose to obey You.

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