Mark 1:40 - 45 (NIV, 1984) A man with leprosy came to him and begged him on his knees, “If you are willing, you can make me clean.”
Filled with compassion, Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cured.
Jesus sent him away at once with a strong warning: “See that you don’t tell this to anyone. But go, show yourself to the
priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing,
as a testimony to them.”
Instead he went out and began to talk freely, spreading the news. As a
result, Jesus could no longer enter a town openly but stayed outside in
lonely places. Yet the people still came to him from everywhere.
Look at this act of disobedience and the result.
Jesus told him, with a strong warning, not to tell anyone except the priest of his healing. The man didn't listen. Instead he went out and began to talk freely,....
And the result of this disobedience? As a
result, Jesus could no longer enter a town openly but stayed outside in
lonely places.
Don't you wonder what the ramifications are of your disobedience to God? I know I whitewash them. "I didn't do that one thing, but I'm sure God took care of it without me." I wonder if I've done things that would cause Jesus to stay "outside in lonely places". Oh, what an awful thought!
Dear Jesus, You Who were the most obedient, please accept my apology for my disobedience. I pray that I haven't done anything that would cause You to stay outside - in lonely places. Come. Fill my house and my life with Your friendship, compassion and wonderful display of obedience. Help me do likewise. Amen.