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DEVO 1
Day 1
HE WANTS TO
Luke 5:12-16
On the first day, Jesus encountered a man covered in leprosy in a village. When the man saw Jesus, he fell to the ground with his face to the earth and begged to be healed, saying, "If you want to, you can make me clean." Jesus extended his hand and touched him. "I want to," he replied. "Be clean!" At once the leprosy disappeared. Then Jesus instructed him not to tell anyone what had happened. "Go and show yourself to the priest," he ordered. "Take the offering required by Moses for your cleansing, as a testimony to them." But the news about him spread all the more, and great crowds came to hear him and to be healed of their ailments. However, Jesus often withdrew to lonely places to pray.
Under a death sentence, what is one to do? Many become discouraged, give up fighting, and doubt their faith. This man had a death sentence on his life, a disease that had ruined his life in every possible way and sense. It had expelled him from the city where he lived, setting up a leper colony in its place. It took away his fellowship and communion with his family, destroying all his family ties and relationships. It had consumed him physically and emotionally. When he looked in the mirror, he no longer recognized himself... he simply didn't exist anymore. Leprosy was a disease that appeared on a person's skin, spreading until, in this case, the Bible says the person was covered, meaning it was the end.
A MIRACLE MOMENT
Not caring about the diagnosis he was living with or the risk of being stoned, this man hid in the middle of a crowd of more than five thousand people. Before him was the answer, Jesus. This man went to Jesus, exposing himself before Jesus and revealing his reality. Then, breaking all barriers of separation and indifference, Jesus touched him with his hands and said, "I want to! I want you to be healed, I want you to be clean, I want you back with your family, I want you back among the people, I want you back in the temple... presenting your gratitude to God."
This could be you today, this leper could represent any particular situation, it could be a sin that has destroyed every relationship and separated you from everything worth living, deforming your image from what you were meant to be into somebody unrecognizable.
Even if everyone says this is the end, Jesus wants something different.
He wants you to experience your miracle. He wants you to see his power and change all your circumstances.
HE WANTS TO!