Too dirty for God?

Thoughts on Matthew 8:1-4

Have you ever done something so bad that you felt not even God would forgive you? Maybe you got drunk, engaged in premarital sex or an affair. Maybe you have been a meth user for what seems an eternity, and you feel like you are a million miles from God, and even if He could hear you He wouldn't want to anyways. Maybe you killed someone and feel like your life is marked for doom.

I have news for you. Our God's love is bigger than all of that. If it wasn't, He would not have dreamed up this plan to bring you back to Him, especially when it cost Him His Son.

Jesus was approached by a man with leprosy. Now, I don't know how much you know about leprosy, but it was the first century version of AIDS. Anyone with it had to yell, "Unclean, Unclean!" before they could come anywhere near civilization. People would run from them for fear they would catch this terminal disease. Remember back in the late '80s when the fear factor for AIDS was at an all time high? People would pretty much do the same thing.

The man came and fell at Jesus feet and said, "Lord, if You are willing, You can heal me and make me clean." (Matthew 8:2)

He knew Jesus could take care of His problems, but He didn't know if Jesus wanted to. I think a lot of us are in that same boat. We know God can do it, but why should He? I know He can forgive me for killing a man, but why would He want to?

It is like we think God is going to see us and take a step back in disgust.

We forget the compassion He has for us.

"When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God’s condemnation. For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son. So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God (Romans 5:6-11)

When the guy with Leprosy was a t Jesus feet, Jesus looked at him as He touched him and said, "I am willing. Be healed!"

Jesus let Him know that indeed He was willing. As a matter of fact He did more than that, He put His hand on his shoulder. That may not sound like a lot, but it was a HUGE sign of grace and love in that day. You see, the priests would not go anywhere near the sick or crippled for fear of becoming ceremonially unclean. This was God Himself not only being around, but touching the contagiously sick. Jesus cares about you and has the power to do something about it. He will reach past anything, no matter what it is to get to you. He is not afraid or disgusted by you.

Once the leper was healed, Jesus said, "Don't tell anyone about this. Instead, go to the priest and let him examine you."

In those days the priest was the only one who could declare someone cured or clean. Jesus told him not to talk about it with his friends, but to go and make it official so he could enter back into mainstream society. When Jesus changes your life you need to make it official so you too can enter into the mainstream of His people, and become part of the living once again. Whether that is going to AA, or Narcotics Anonymous. Coming clean with a family member, or coworker. Or even going to the doctor that you have been seeing about cancer, so he can check you to see that you are actually healed.

Jesus also told him to, "Take along the offering required in the law of Moses for those who have been healed of leprosy. This will be a public testimony that you have been cleansed."

Jesus was telling him that there were certain social hoops that he would have to jump through to be accepted by society again. Sometimes sin or addiction separates us from our families and friends, leaving our lives feeling empty and dead. Jesus did not sacrifice Himself for that. He did it so we would have LIFE and have it abundantly!

When we come to our families with an enthusiastic statement of "I am healed!" or "I quit drinking for good this time." They will want to see some kind of proof, some kind of sign that you are serious. In essence you will have to jump through some hoops before they will let you back into their circle of trust. But don't let that discourage you. God is making your life a testimony of what Jesus can do with someone willing to come to Him, no matter where they are at.

Jesus is not disgusted by you or surprised by whatever malfunction you have right now.

The leper asked Jesus to be healed, "if He was willing."

Jesus responded with a resounding YES! and healed him. When you feel like you are unlovable to God, remember:

>the leper that came to Jesus and how Jesus touched Him, reaching past his disease.

>Remember how Jesus healed Him.

>And then remember that Jesus told Him not to talk about it, but to go...

The CRUX of it all...

"Love will find a Way."

God reached past the infinite gap between us and Him to restore us to fellowship with Him, through His plan of salvation before the dawn of time. That plan entailed His Son sacrificing His perfect life to pay for the sin of the entire world, so we could have life forever with Him, through His Son Jesus Christ. Jesus will reach past your problems no matter how big, and He will heal you if you ask Him. When He does, make it official. Jump through the hoops, do what it takes to be restored and then tell others about it.

His Love is Big!