Pity, Touched, Healed...

I love to read about the miracles that Jesus performed.  They leave me in awe.  For example, reading the words of Mark 1:40-41:

"And a leper came to him, imploring him, and kneeling said to him, 'If you will, you can make me clean.'  Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand and touched him and said to him, 'I will, be clean.'"

Jesus displayed three actions that we need to display.  Jesus displayed three actions that we need to display when being the "salt and light of the earth."  

#1--Pity 

This is extremely difficult sometimes.  Often times people put themselves into the situations they are in and we often feel that if we help them get out of it that they won't learn anything.  I don't disagree with this.  However, Jesus displayed pity on this man who was in need.  Pity is defined has having sympathy or kindly sorrow evoked by the suffering, distress, or misfortune of another.  Do we have this definition in our dealings with the poor and afflicted in our communities?  If we are honest, the answer (most of the time) is no.  

#2--Touched

It would have been very politically and socially incorrect for Jesus to touch this man.  Why?  Lepers were considered as outcasts.  They were not allowed to mingle with the towns people.  They were not allowed to live at home with their families.  They were not allowed to touch anybody or anything.  They were considered unclean.  Leviticus 13 will tell you everything you want to know about this skin disease.  Jesus didn't care.  He knew that one of the huge needs in this man's healing was that he needed a touch.  Jesus didn't care about the social customs.  Jesus didn't care about what others would think.  He touched this man.  

#3--Healed

After showing pity and after touching the man, Jesus healed him.  Jesus told him that He could make him clean and then He did it.  It is important to understand that this wasn't a progressive healing.  It was immediate.  

Briefly, let's look at some applications.

#1--We must pray that God would give us an eye to see the needs of others and when we do see them, have pity.

#2--We must be willing to get our hands dirty.

#3--We must do everything we can do to heal.  What do I mean by this?  We must do everything we can to heal the greatest need that people have.  What is their greatest need?  Their greatest need is to enter into a right relationship with God.

Blessings!