Needlessly Touching My Wounds
April 21st, 2008
Scripture:
Matthew 8:3 — “Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “ I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” Immediately he was cured of his leprosy.” (NIV)
Observation:
Jesus your power amazes me. This is my favorite healing recorded in scripture. You possess the power to bring creation into existence, heal the sick, raise the dead and cut to the heart of man with just your voice, yet you chose to heal this untouchable man with a touch. You didn’t have to, you could have just said the word, thought the thought, yet you chose to reach out and touch his wounds.
Application:
I can’t tell you how many days Father that I have to fight the lie that you are far away, emotionally detached from my issues, my pain, my brokenness. I spend days sometimes many days struggling with the truth that you really do care about my little plight or even greater the plight of mankind. I also doubt sometimes your willingness to love the unlovable, touch the untouchable, and change the unchangeable as I come into contact with what seems to be so many that are still yet to be changed. Thank you for these words in the midst of your Word this morning. You have vividly reminded me that you were, are and always will be willing to touch the wounds of people… and how amazing is it that you really didn’t, and really don’t have to. You needlessly touch the dirtiness of my life and bring me cleansing and restoration.
Prayer:
Father I am in awe of your love for your creation. I am in awe of your desire for intimacy with me. Thank you for sending Jesus to touch and heal my wounds. May my life and ministry be filled with moments like Matthew 8:3. May I seek to be intimately involved in lives of the hurting like you are. May I never again waste time wrestling with the lie that you are content to change people from afar, but help me remember that you purposefully chose to reach into their lives and heal them… even though you don’t have to.
— Jason Smith, student minister, Madison/Ridgeland campus