God Wants the Eternal Relationship!

Mark 1:40-45 New International Version (NIV)

Jesus Heals a Man With Leprosy 40 A man with leprosy[a] came to him and begged him on his knees, “If you are willing, you can make me clean.” 41 Jesus was indignant.[b] He reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” 42 Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cleansed. 43 Jesus sent him away at once with a strong warning: 44 “See that you don’t tell this to anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them.” 45 Instead he went out and began to talk freely, spreading the news. As a result, Jesus could no longer enter a town openly but stayed outside in lonely places. Yet the people still came to him from everywhere.

Friday - February 12

Jesus left town because everyone wanted physical healing, not forgiveness of sins. But, preaching the forgiveness and grace of God is what Jesus has come to do. So, he went to other towns. One day a leper asked Jesus for healing. Lepers were completely cut off from their communities for fear of spreading their disease. Jesus had compassion for this man and healed him. However, Jesus commanded him not to tell anyone because it would make his preaching ministry almost impossible. What happened? The man told everyone and Jesus was mobbed in every town he entered. No one wanted the good news about God’s forgiveness and promise of eternal life. They wanted their immediate, physical needs met. Jesus is promising us that there is so much more that God has for us. God is not merely a doctor. He is a loving Father who wants an eternal relationship with us.