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Mark 1:40-45
A man with leprosy came to him and begged him on his knees, “If you are willing, you can make me clean.”
Jesus was indignant. He reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cleansed.
Jesus sent him away at once with a strong warning: “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.” 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.
New International Version (NIV)
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We begin to read our second of the four gospels this week. Mark is like Sergeant Joe Friday on the old television show called Dragnet. “Just the facts”, he says. Mark pays little attention to rhetorical flourish. He tells the story of Jesus simply. He also strongly teaches Jesus’ practice of the Messianic Secret. Jesus helped people and said, “Shhhh! Don’t tell anyone.”
The story of the leper moves us. He begs Jesus on his knees, “If you are willing, you can make me clean.” Leprosy carried a social stigma as well as a medical dilemma. One friend called Covid the “Scarlet C,” because so often people will explain illness or death by saying, “It was not Covid.” Even those who have had it may feel some stigma attached to it. This is completely unnecessary.
Jesus willingly pronounced the man clean. Immediately the man was cleansed of his leprosy. But Jesus warned him, “See to it that you tell no one.” Not everyone can keep a secret. Could you? Jesus has healed him. So he told everyone what the Lord had done for him. This pushed Jesus away from towns into lonely places. But even there the people found him. Wait! Isn’t that a good thing?
Studies say the best way to get someone to do something is to forbid it. For instance, if I say to you, “Whatever you do, do not think about a white bear,” what happens? For that matter, how effective are “No parking” and “Wet paint” signs? The Messianic Secret period of world history has effectively expired. Feel free to tell others what Jesus has done for you. Like Mary Magdalene, go and tell your story. We have members sharing short testimonies of God’s goodness on-line. I would love for you to tell your story, too. But if this helps, let me use reverse psychology. Shhh! Don’t tell anyone what Jesus has done for you. Don’t tell anyone how much he loved you or how he died for you or forgave you or rose again from the dead. Don’t you dare! Ready. Go!
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Pray with me:
Father, thank you that the Kingdom of God has come near in Christ. Today we bring to you our illnesses and our fear of becoming ill. With the leper we say, “If you are willing, you can make us whole.” Remind us today of all you have done for us in Christ. Give us a chance to speak freely to others today about who you are. Help us to see the opportunities when they come. Then empower us to speak the truth in love. We ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.
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Join us in memorizing the Word. Scripture for this week:
Matthew 5:38-39
You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also.
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| Our 2020 Every Day with Jesus readings will follow the Foundations New Testament reading plan. Copies of the reading plan are available at Tallowood Baptist Church, or download your copy at REPLICATE.ORG
We would love for you to join us as we read the New Testament through this year, five chapters a week. In addition I will continue my long-standing practice of reading one Psalm a day through the year. Use Robby Gallaty’s H. E. A. R. plan to study each chapter (also found at REPLICATE.ORG). Highlight verses which speak to you, explain what they mean in your own words in a journal, apply them to your own life, then respond by doing what God tells you to do.
Joyfully,
Duane
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