Passage
Matthew 8:1-4 (ESV)
Peter Reports to the Church
Acts 11:1-18
Key Verse: 11:14
"i Am Willing; Be Clean!"
Date: May. 11, 2015
Daily Bread
Key Verse: 8:3
First, a man with leprosy came to Jesus (1-2). Leprosy was an incurable, fatal and contagious disease, much like ebola today. In that religious society this man was deemed spiritually unclean (Lev 13), leaving him cut off from all human interaction. Likely he felt cursed by God. But when he heard about Jesus, he believed. His faith motivated him to seek out Jesus. He could not ask Jesus to heal him; he only confessed his faith in Jesus as Lord and waited on mercy.
Second, Jesus touches and heals the man (3-4). All people feared and hated this man, because he was dangerous and ugly. They didn't see a human being but only a disease. Jesus is different. Jesus understood his agony, and reached out and touched him. Jesus accepted the man's faith. Jesus said: "I am willing, be clean!" Jesus healed him and sent him to the priest to restore his social standing. Let's come to Jesus by faith and receive his healing forgiveness for our sins.
Prayer: Father, I'm like a leper due to my sins. Thank you for Jesus' grace. Help me come to him today.
One Word: Be clean
