Jesus Shows Compassion For the Outcasts of Society
Once when he was in one of the cities, a man covered with a skin disease was there. When he saw Jesus, he bowed with his face to the ground and begged him, "Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean." Luke 5:12 NRSV
Series: Doing What Jesus Did
Devotional: 4 of 4
So far in this series, we have observed the works that Jesus did when He encountered two very different people: a tax collector and a paralytic. With each encounter, Jesus reveals an important lesson about how we are to model our lives after Him.
Jesus meets us right where we are.
Jesus was willing and available to be interrupted.
Today, we will consider another encounter Jesus has with a man with a skin disease.
One day, as Jesus was moving from town to town throughout Galilee, a leper fell on his face before Him, "Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean." (See Luke 5:12 NRSV)
"Moved with compassion," Jesus reached out His hand and touched the man that society had deemed an outcast (See Mark 1:41 and Luke 5:13). Immediately, he was made clean, both physically and spiritually. In that moment, Jesus could have simply said, "I am willing, be made clean," and not touched the leprosy that covered the man's body. Instead, Jesus, who was unwilling to keep the man's suffering at arm's length, moves toward his brokenness rather than away from it.
There is an important lesson from this encounter that we would do well to model in our own lives: Jesus shows compassion for the outcasts of society.
As Jesus' apprentices we are called to have compassion on the people who have been cast aside by today's culture. People living in close proximity, as well as those who are suffering in silence on the fringes of our communities. Following in our Master's footsteps, we are to move towards those who are suffering. Why? Because everyone has a story. A story that defines the person they have become. A story that desperately needs to be redeemed by "Jesus our High Priest who sympathizes with our weaknesses." (See Hebrews 4:15 NRSV).
Today, take some time in the quiet place to prayerfully consider the following questions. Who do you know that society has rejected as unclean and unworthy of God's love? Where might the Lord be calling you to go as a way of moving closer to those who are suffering? And how might Jesus be challenging you to see His lost sheep differently through His eyes of compassion?
OnThe3rdDay Devotionals
Devotionals that illustrate Biblical principles in a simple and short format that can be applied to your everyday life.
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