"I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen." (Luther's Morning Prayer)
Saturday, February 17, 2024 - Day 48 (Through the Bible in a year readings for today: Leviticus 24,25; Mark 1:23-45)
MOVED WITH PITY
And a leper came to him, imploring him, and kneeling said to him, “If you will, you can make me clean.” Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand and touched him and said to him, “I will; be clean.” And immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean. (Mark 1:40-42 ESV)
In today’s Gospel from Mark, Jesus teaches us several important lessons.
1) How to properly pray for earthly blessings (“If it is Your will”):
And a leper came to him, imploring him,
and kneeling said to him,
“If you will, you can make me clean.”
2) Jesus cares about sinners in need. He has compassion on them:
Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand and touched him...
Compassion, Greek splagchnizomai. Literally “his gut moved.” Jesus experienced the same gut reaction as we sometimes do in sad situations.
This is good news for us sinners living in an imperfect world. Jesus truly cares about us and our human condition. The ultimate assurance that this is true is found on the cross. Jesus cared so much about us and our lostness that He died as payment for our sins.
3) Jesus is God:
... and said to him, “I will; be clean.” And immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean."
1. Glory be to Jesus, Who in bitter pains
Poured for me the life blood From his sacred veins!
2. Grace and life eternal In that blood I find,
Blest be his compassion Infinitely kind!
(“Glory be to Jesus,” LSB #433)
Lord Jesus, thank You for having gut wrenching pity on me and my condition. Thank You also for acting on that pity and love by obediently going to the cross and redeeming me from sin, death and the devil. Please use me to share Your great love and compassion with other lost sinners. Amen.
“See” you in church tomorrow morning!
Pastor David Paape
Daily Bible Reading Chart covering the entire Bible in one year.
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