Day 3: GREATER COMPASSION
Psalm 100:5 and Mark 1:40-42
Lepers were the lowest of the low in first century society. They were forced to live outside of the city and announce their presence to anyone who came near. “Unclean, unclean” they would yell. To touch a leper was, in the minds of those in Galilee, to contract the disease. Jesus understood that the sick needed more than just to be healed physically; they had an even greater need – the need to be forgiven of their sin. “Jesus, moved with compassion, stretched out His hand and touched” the leper. He could have spoken the words and the man would have been healed, but Jesus saw into his heart and knew his need to be touched by the compassion of God.
The Lord has reached down to sinful men and women like us and touched us at our greatest need. Who will you touch this day? What life will the Lord give you an opportunity to show greater compassion to? Remember, the Lord touched your life while you were still in your sin – while you were the equal of the leper. Now go and show that same compassion to those in need.
PRAYER: Lord, open my eyes and heart to those around me who need to have their lives touched with the compassion of Jesus Christ. Show me how I can go beyond what I am comfortable with to the greater compassion of Christ. In His name I pray. Amen