The Pilgrim Path---The Gospel of Mark 1: 40 - 45 

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 his hand and touched him and said to him, "I will; be clean." And immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean. And Jesus sternly charged him and sent him away at once, and said to him, "See that you say nothing to anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses commanded, for a proof to them." But he went out and began to spread the news, so that Jesus could no longer openly enter a town, but was out in desolate places, and people were coming to him from every quarter.

This leper was prohibited by Levitical Legislation (Leviticus chapter 13), from simply approaching people---there was immense and intense SOCIAL DISTANCING: a leper had to cover his upper lip and cry, "Unclean--Unclean!"---you had to live outside the mainstream of society. The likelihood you would ever enter so-called "normal" society again--- was not very likely at all. Yet, this leper had to get to the Man from Galilee. We are not told "all" that was going on inside of him. We aren't given details concerning the "theological formulation" he had processed about Jesus. But we get the remarkable picture of a leper, who---as Spurgeon says---had gone this far: "IF you are willing ---make me clean"---that was a great mercy indeed!---If you cannot go as far as some--in faith---GO as Far As You Can (Spurgeon).

---Heaven's Faith: draws you to Jesus Christ / overcomes obstacles / pleads the promises of Holy Scripture / like Jacob of old--will wrestle for some concerns / will understand God's time is always best / learns that God honors faith--for faith honors God--Hebrews 11: 6 / will "strive" with others in prayer---Romans 15: 30

---The Lord Jesus Christ is "moved with pity" for this leper...why sometimes I am a stone towards the needs of people---the world has so hardened my heart---How 'bout you? This is one of the "reasons" why the Lord Jesus prayed as he did: You have to commune with the Father in prayer and secret meditation ---To be able to "share" the Father's truth and "show" His love to people. Always keep this "rhythm" in mind---with the Lord---then with people.

---If the Lord Jesus does not heal you or rescue you---just as you envision---Trust Him---knowing that He has never made a mistake...He loves You...

---From Samuel Ward: He is not only our wise God, but a tender Father. He knows what you are made of and measures out exactly every cross unto us as a chemist measures grains of medicine---"In all circumstances take up the shield of faith." Ephesians 6: 16

---"Creature-props are not able to bear the weight of an immortal soul. They are apt to crumble under us. But an almighty God is a rock...On this Abraham built his transcendent faith (Romans 4:21)." Thomas Lye

My faith looks up to Thee,

Thou Lamb of Calvary,

Savior Divine!

Now hear me while I pray,

Take all my guilt away,

O let me from this day

Be wholly Thine! Ray Palmer (1808--1887)

Grace & Peace in Jesus Our LORD, Pastor Jason