Day 61
Matthew 8:1-4 When He had come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed Him. And behold, a leper came and worshipped Him, saying, "Lord, if you are willing, You can make me clean." Then Jesus put out His hand and touched him saying, "I am willing; be cleansed." Immediately his leprosy was cleansed. And Jesus said to him, "See that you tell no one; but go your way, show yourself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, as a testimony to them."
As I read this passage, I find myself wanting to just breeze right over it as if it were an insignificant little introduction to the bigger story to follow. However, upon further review, I find myself rather intrigued by the power of this interchange with the leper. Why is it that Jesus did not want the leper to tell people about His power at this time? After all, He is the son of God and He's here for a short time, and shouldn't He take advantage of every opportunity to show His power? Not necessarily. Jesus was sending an amazing message by this action. You see, He knew that if He riled up the priesthood too soon, He would have no time to minister. If He offends them now, they go on the offensive. He still had much work to do, and knowing that He honored them, in order to maintain control, Jesus asked the leper to go to the priest, offer a sacrifice (one which the priests would gain from), and in essence bless them for the miracle done by the one they would someday crucify. How amazing is that?
Everything He did on this earth had a purpose: every move was thought out, every action for a particular reaction. How much could we learn from this? We tend to spend our lives in the reactive mode, or in the mode of the flesh. The flesh plans nothing but rather is moved by the desires, emotions, or feelings of the moment, yet the Spirit moves according to plan: one with a pure purpose, a purpose to arrive at a particular destination without being swayed by the flesh. This type of living causes blessings, peace, joy, honor, and grace; it affects the world and those around you to receive these blessings. It is a life to be emulated. However, a life that is lived and led by the flesh and reactionary is a life filled with confusion, anxiousness, frustration, chaos, and anger, thus affecting the world and those around you in a similar way. Which way do you live? Are you confused or purposeful, confident or complacent?
Daily Prayer: Father, may we impact our world by living our lives with a plan to follow your lead, fulfill your will, and glorify your Son Jesus. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
"To live for Him takes a plan and a purpose to do so; any fool can run through life."
Pastor Gene Burroughs
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