Scripture Scribbles: February 11, 2024

the Gospel

Mark 1:40-45

A leper came to Jesus and kneeling down begged him and said,
“If you wish, you can make me clean.”
Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand, 
touched him, and said to him, 
“I do will it. Be made clean.”
The leprosy left him immediately, and he was made clean.
Then, warning him sternly, he dismissed him at once. 

He said to him, “See that you tell no one anything,
but go, show yourself to the priest 
and offer for your cleansing what Moses prescribed;
that will be proof for them.”

The man went away and began to publicize the whole matter.
He spread the report abroad
so that it was impossible for Jesus to enter a town openly.
He remained outside in deserted places,
and people kept coming to him from everywhere.

the devotion

How many of us have spent time on our knees desperately begging for the Lord to heal us, a friend, or loved one? “If you wish, you can make me clean,” the humble words uttered by a suffering outcast, reaching for his last hope. Jesus wills it, so he’s healed - a miracle - transforming his life forever for all to see. 

What happens if Jesus wills something different for us? What if the miracle we hoped for doesn’t look how we imagined? Those suffering blows call us to deeper trust when our pleading is not answered according to what we desire. “If you will it, save this baby in my womb, so I don’t have to suffer yet another loss.” Another loss occurs. “If you will it, don’t let the cancer return.” The cancer returns. “If you will it, heal my marriage.” A marriage continues to struggle. We wonder how this could happen to us. Why me?! Why must I suffer when the leper was healed?! The demons were driven out of the woman! The dead girl was raised to life! Where is my healing?! We cry out in agony, angered at the injustice!

And then we stumble upon Him in the deserted places. Bleary-eyed from our immense suffering, we see others coming from near and far seeking Jesus’ power to heal them. We see the anguish on their faces and move with pity as our Savior did for the leper. We tend to wounds while they wait, pray with them, comfort those who mourn, and counsel the confused - until our suffering unites with His - a miracle - transforming our unhealed prayers. We are a witness of Hope in something greater than this worldly life; to trust in His plan even if we don’t understand. Heal me, Lord, according to Your will.

Today’s devotion is written by Diana Giard