Good morning! As with most children, my children have been prone to many scrapes and bruises. When these things happen my children generally come to my wife and I in tears. One of the first questions we tend to ask is “where does it hurt?” When our kids show us where we kiss the “boo-boo” to make it feel better. The kiss doesn’t heal the wound itself, but it helps to anesthetize the pain and to reassure my children that everything will be alright.
What about you? Where do you hurt today? Is God even concerned with your pain? It is with these questions in mind that I want to direct your attention to Matthew chapter 8.
Matthew 8:1-3 (NLT)
Large crowds followed Jesus as he came down the mountainside. [2] Suddenly, a man with leprosy approached Jesus. He knelt before him, worshiping. "Lord," the man said, "if you want to, you can make me well again."
[3] Jesus touched him. "I want to," he said. "Be healed!" And instantly the leprosy disappeared.
In this account Jesus has encountered a man with Leprosy. Leprosy is defined in the dictionary as: A chronic, mildly contagious granulomatous disease of tropical and subtropical regions, caused by the bacillus Mycobacterium leprae, characterized by ulcers of the skin, bone, and viscera and leading to loss of sensation, paralysis, gangrene, and deformation. Also called Hansen's disease .
Leprosy is a very serious condition. Because a leper was contagious, strict laws concerning those with Leprosy had been laid out by God. Look at the instructions given in Leviticus chapter 13:
Leviticus 13:45-46 (NLT)
"Those who suffer from any contagious skin disease must tear their clothing and allow their hair to hang loose. Then, as they go from place to place, they must cover their mouth and call out, 'Unclean! Unclean!' [46] As long as the disease lasts, they will be ceremonially unclean and must live in isolation outside the camp.
Going back to the account in Matthew, lets consider a couple of key truths that we need to grab hold of today. First of all, no matter what your condition may be, you must realize that your only hope is Jesus. This leper was willing to risk everything for the opportunity to meet Jesus face to face. Too many times we put our faith in everything but Jesus. We pin our hopes on modern medicine, scientific advance or will power and determination. Ultimately we must realize that only Jesus calms the storms, heals the sick and brings the dead into life. This leper realized that in his hopeless condition there was only one source of hope. Notice that the man came and worshiped Jesus. He humbled himself, not demanding healing, but seeking the gracious gift of healing.
The second point I want you to grab hold of is the fact that Jesus knows your pain. Not only is he aware of your condition, but he knows where you hurt. This leper had been forced to live a life of isolation. Think of the pain inflicted as he would reflect on the warmth of human touch. How he longed to simply shake the hand of another, to feel somebody’s warm embrace or to simply have a hand placed upon his shoulder. From a distance he would watch as young lovers held hands and family members greeted one another with an embrace. Notice what Jesus did. Jesus could have simply said “be healed,” but instead he touched the man first and then he spoke the words of healing. In that touch, the pain of isolation melted away. The thing the man craved so desperately was given so tenderly. When you are hurting, Jesus knows of your pain. So many times in my life at my most desperate hours…I have received the kind words of a stranger, the encouraging words of a friend, or the tender touch of someone close. Jesus is still touching the hurts in our lives today.
The third thing that we need to grasp is this: Jesus not only dealt with the hurt, but he also dealt with the cause. Jesus is not just a Band-Aid® and Bactine® healer. He addresses the root of your pain as well.
Today if you are facing a painful existence I invite you to seek out Jesus. Worship at His feet and acknowledge His power to heal you. Let Him touch you where you hurt and receive His grace and mercy with a thankful heart.
Until next Monday, may God’s richest blessings be yours this week.
Carl
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