Jan 8: Insight Post by Rusty Coram
Weekly Reading: Matthew 8:2-4, Mark 1:40-45, Luke 5:12-16
Wednesday Reflection
Faith in Jesus Brings Healing: The leper approached Jesus with humility and faith, saying, If you are willing, you can make me clean. His faith in Jesus power to heal led to his physical restoration. Jesus responds to our faith and meets us at the point of our need, whether its physical, emotional, or spiritual healing.
Wednesday Verse
Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires. Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him, and he will help you. Psalm 37:4-5 (NLT)
Wednesday Questions
Do I approach Jesus with the same humility and confidence as the leper? Where in my life do I need to trust Him for healing or restoration?
Wednesday Insight Post
by Rusty Coram
If you missed Kim Feld’s post on Monday, please take a couple of minutes to read it. In this episode of Jesus’ ministry, we see His heart of compassion on full display. The man who Jesus healed showed humble faith, which is admirable as well. There is something else in this story that needs attention, though. After healing him, Jesus gave the man clear instructions to (1) go to the local priest to show that he was healed and could be reinstated to the community and (2) not tell anyone, except the priest, what had happened. These two directives were simple, direct, and clear. The excited and grateful man obeyed the first command and ignored the second, which is easy to understand for sure. The man had been an outcast since his diagnosis, and the public fear, along with no known cure, meant that the odds of ever being restored were minimal. When Jesus healed him, this man experienced a brand-new start to his life, physically and socially. He could now reconnect with his family and friends. He could work again and worship with his community. Of course, he wanted to tell everyone about Jesus, who cared for and healed him. He may have thought Jesus was being too humble, and by disregarding His instruction, he was doing Jesus a favor by building His reputation. Regardless of his intention, the result was not what Jesus wanted. The account we read in Mark is preceded by the account of Jesus healing Peter’s mother-in-law. As a result, the whole town came to have Jesus heal them. This is fairly early in Jesus’ ministry, and while having free publicity might be seen as a gift, it actually created problems. Jesus didn’t come to be a healer but to be our Savior. The miraculous things He did were to show that He is God and to be listened to, not the main event. As we see later in His work, the incessant crush of people coming for miracles hinders rather than helps.
I don’t believe the cured leper realized that his disobedience would have a negative impact, but it did. One clear takeaway from this is that when God gives us instructions, obeying them is the only right response. Whether we understand or not isn’t the issue; obedience shows respect, trust, and love. Good intentions can lead to unintended consequences. Obeying God is the best place to be.
“Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them. And I will love them and reveal myself to each of them.” John 14:21 (NLT)
Rusty Coram
Senior Pastor