Some 2,000 years ago our Creator put Himself in a human body and lived on the earth. Early in His ministry Jesus Christ encountered a man with leprosy. Matthew, Mark and Luke document that encounter but Mark gives the most information.

Mark 1:⁴⁰ And there came a leper to him, beseeching him, and kneeling down to him, and saying unto him, If thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.

Lesson: The man believed Jesus had the power and ability to heal him. He did not say “if You can”.

How many times do we know Jesus has the power to fix something but we wonder if He will?

How can we acknowledge Jesus’ power when we ask Him for help?

⁴¹And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth his hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, I will; be thou clean.

Lesson: Jesus has compassion for His creatures living in a fallen creation.

Jesus’ will is for His creation to be clean.

What does it mean to you that Jesus feels compassion for you in your situation and circumstances?

What does it mean to you that Jesus’ will is for you to be clean?

⁴²And as soon as he had spoken, immediately the leprosy departed from him, and he was cleansed.

Lesson: Jesus’ commands are obeyed immediately!

⁴³And he straitly charged him, and forthwith sent him away;

⁴⁴And saith unto him, See thou say nothing to any man: but go thy way, shew thyself to the priest, and offer for thy cleansing those things which Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them.

Lesson: Jesus gives explicit commands. Jesus refers to Biblical documentation.

What commands in the Bible apply to you in your current situation?

⁴⁵But he went out, and began to publish it much, and to blaze abroad the matter, insomuch that Jesus could no more openly enter into the city, but was without in desert places: and they came to him from every quarter.

Lesson: Disobedience to Jesus’ commands brings chaos.

Why do you think the leper disobeyed?

Is there a command of Jesus you are struggling to obey?

Are you telling others what Jesus has done for you?

You can ask Jesus for help to obey, He has compassion, understands and has the strength to enable you.

No one understands like Jesus – John Peterson

No one understands like Jesus; He’s a Friend beyond compare.
Meet Him at the throne of mercy; He is waiting for you there.

CHORUS
No one understands like Jesus When the days are dark and grim.
No one is so near, so dear as Jesus; Cast your every care on Him.

No understands like Jesus; every woe He sees and feels.
Tenderly He whispers comfort, and the broken heart He heals.

No one understands like Jesus When the foes of life assail.
You should never be discouraged; Jesus cares and will not fail.

No one understands like Jesus When you falter on the way.
Though you fail Him, sadly fail Him, He will pardon you today.

Our focus – Hebrews 12:¹ Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

² Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God

Our challenge – Dearly Beloved,

Run with your eyes on Jesus alone!

Run in faith that Jesus loves you with an everlasting, unconditional love; has uniquely designed and created only one you; has a good plan for your life; runs with you; and will         accomplish His purposes for you and through you!

Run in His strength alone!

Run being yoked to Emmanuel!

Run with your eyes on the prize!

Run with your focus on His mission: to conform you to the image of Jesus Christ!

Run with the desire to finish strong!

Run with the desire to finish with your lamp burning!

Run to obtain an incorruptible crown!

Run with the expectation of being in His physical presence when together you cross your finish line!

Run to His glory alone!

Run and keep on running!

Coach Patti