What Jesus Did! 'For Those on Earth! (Part 1)' — Matthew 8:3-4

Wednesday, April 2, 2025

Jesus reached out and touched [the man with leprosy]. "I am willing," he said. "Be healed!" And instantly the leprosy disappeared. Then Jesus said to him, "Don't tell anyone about this. Instead, go to the priest and let him examine you. 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."
— Matthew 8:3-4 NLT

Key Thought

This is a mini-story of the Incarnation. God saw that humankind had a need and reached out and touched us. I don't know how we are to fully understand what it means for God to live in human flesh, but he did. That is what the Jesus story is about. And when he did live in human flesh, he didn't wear the robes of royalty but the clothes of a peasant so he could touch us, even the most lowly of us, with his incredible gift of love and grace. Because he did, we can be sure God hears us with a voice of understanding when Jesus intercedes for us at his side.

Today's Prayer

Almighty God, please give me strength to trust in you. Help me to care less about riches and more about the broken, just as Jesus does. Thank you, Jesus, for being my assurance, not only of heaven but also of heaven's hearing my heart. In your precious name, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

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3 Related Resources by Heartlight

Willing!
Article by Patrick D. Odum
If you are willing and able, Jesus can make you clean? Patrick Odum reminds us that Jesus majors is making the unclean clean and taking the outcast and bringing them back home into community.
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"Large crowds followed Jesus as he came down the mountainside [after his Sermon on the Mount]. Suddenly, a man with leprosy approached him and knelt..."
A Hands-on Sort of Guy
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Are you a hands-on kind of person? God calls us to be a people and a person who touches hurting people because Jesus was willing to touch us.

Illustration

Illustration of Matthew 8:3-4 NLT — "I am willing,"

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About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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