Jesus comes down from the mountainside after concluding The Sermon on the Mount, and the large crowds continue to follow Him. A man with leprosy comes to Jesus desiring to be healed. {Side note: Leprosy is a contagious, skin infection that still exists mainly in underdeveloped countries. Back then, people with leprosy were considered unclean, and they were isolated from their communities. They were made to follow very strict laws as well.} The man told Jesus, “If you are willing, you can heal me and make me clean”. So Jesus touched him and said, “I am willing. Be healed”. And instantly the leprosy disappeared. Friend, do you have “leprosy” within your soul? Are there parts of the inner you that you or society have deemed unclean? Have you isolated yourself due to your “uncleanliness”? Just as Jesus reached out, touched the man, and healed him, He can reach out, touch you, and heal you! In addition to the things that we have deemed unclean, I also want you to think of the sin that we choose to live in as unclean. Jesus was sinless, but He took on our sins and redeemed us when He laid His life down. How dare we pick and choose which sins we allow Him to heal us from? He wants your total person healed just as He wanted the man with leprosy to be clean!
In verses five through 13, we read that a Roman officer came to Jesus reporting his child was sick. Jesus told the man that He would come and heal him. But the officer told Jesus that he was not worthy for Him to come to his house. He told Jesus that all He needed to do was send a word. Jesus was amazed at the officer’s faith, and because of his faith, Jesus healed his child. Check your faith friend! If the officer knew that Jesus only needed to send His word, why are you acting as if the words that God sent to you are untrue or invalid? Whatever He has spoken will be performed according to His will and in His timing!
Just as He did in verses 24 through 26, Jesus is able to calm any storm, whether natural or spiritual. The disciples responded inappropriately to the storm. Instead of speaking to it, they became afraid and panicked. They did not exercise any faith. Does this sound familiar to you? Have you ever faced a storm in your life and instead of looking at the One who is able to calm it you panicked? Have you ever allowed your feelings and lack of trust to override your faith? I definitely have! We must remember that the same power that resides in Him, resides in us. Use your faith! Use your power! Speak to those storms and tell them who your God is and what He is able to do!
Real Talk with Keve 