He makes us clean

"Then a leper came to Jesus, begging on his knees: “If You are willing, You can make me clean.” Moved with compassion, Jesus reached out His hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” He said. “Be clean!” Mark 1:40-41 BSB

On June 7, Lauren Larson, 36, set out for a 10-mile trail run on Emerald Mountain in Colorado. About 7 1/2 miles into the run though, after she stopped to let two bikers pass, Lauren said, "I maybe took two or three strides. I feel like I tripped with my right foot. I extended my left foot out to sort of catch myself and hit it just right with the impact." Thankfully one of the bikers saw Lauren break her leg and called out to her partner on the other bike. Lauren said that her "rescuers could have cited health concerns and either not helped her or done a lot less by simply waiting with her from a distance (because of COVID-19) for Search and Rescue. Instead, they took matters into their own hands." The two compassionate strangers lifted her up and transported her down the mountain. Lauren is now healing after having had surgery to install a plate and a few screws. 

And you know, when it comes to infectious viruses or conditions that warrant a person to distance themselves from others, the Bible tells us that when a person had leprosy, a highly contagious disease that causes severe, disfiguring skin sores and nerve damage in the arms, legs, and skin areas around the body, they were literally shunned and forced to live alone outside the city gates. And not only were they required to live out their days in solitude but they would never again experience the feel of another person's touch because no one would go near them. Can you just imagine that? But Jesus had compassion on those afflicted. In fact, although He could have merely spoken the words, "Be clean!" and the leper would have been healed, "Jesus reached out His hand and touched" him. Oh what a compassionate God we have! 

And you know what? Jesus is still reaching out His hand and touching those who ask to be cleansed of their maladies today. In fact, there's no one too dirty or too plagued with the disease of sin that Jesus will not touch, forgive, redeem, and restore if they would only cry out, "Make me clean." 

Heavenly Father, thank You for not turning away from us because of our transgressions. Thank You for being so compassionate that You would reach out to touch the dirtiest of sinners that they would be healed and made new if they would only ask. Oh Lord, help us to be bold in sharing the Message of Salvation with the lost that they would finally feel the touch they have been seeking. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

Clean - Natalie Grant