Daily Devotional for Tuesday, January 6

The Healing of the Leper

“And he put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will: be thou clean. And immediately the leprosy departed from him,” Luke 5:13.

One night a house caught fire, and a young boy was forced to flee to the roof. The father stood on the ground below with outstretched arms, calling to his son, “Jump! I’ll catch you.” He knew the boy had to jump to save his life. All the boy could see was flame, smoke and blackness. As can be imagined, he was afraid to leave the roof. His father kept yelling: “Jump! I will catch you.” But the boy protested, “Daddy, I can’t see you.” The father replied, “But I can see you and that’s all that matters.”

            Faith is a powerful virtue. Those in possession of it may witness God do great things (Matthew 17:20). For the leper, faith meant the difference between suffering and healing. Faith brings reward, Hebrews 11:6 declares, “But without faith it is impossible to please him; for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” The leper was generously rewarded for his faith in Jesus.

            Faith produces works but works never produce salvation.  According to the Scripture, the leper came to Jesus in faith, saw Him, fell upon his face and expressed his belief in the ability of Jesus to heal, “if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean” (Luke 5:13). This action was a clear demonstration of the faith of the leper. With the touch of Jesus’ hand, the leper was cleansed.

            As leprosy was a death sentence for the leper, so sin is a death sentence resting upon all men. Just as the leper was powerless against the plague in his body, so is the sinner powerless to deliver himself from the death sentence of sin. Jesus’ blood provides the only pardon.

FINAL THOUGHT

Do you know someone who needs the touch of the Master’s hand today? Could it be you?

 John Nations