I love when I get to see a “contrast“

that helps me to better understand…

This morning I came across a verse in the old testament, talking about King Uzziah getting leprosy because of his disobedience…

“…he dwelt in an isolated house because he was a leper; for he was cut off from the house of the Lord…” (2 Chronicles 26:21)

His disobedience—his sin— resulted in separation.

He was exiled,

banished,

excluded,

pushed away,

forced out,

rejected,

deemed unclean…

But as I read this,

I immediately thought of the story of Jesus and the leper.

Jesus was moved by His compassion for this broken, desperate, rejected man…

He said to Jesus,

“If You are willing, You can make me clean.” (Mark 1:40)

And as I saw this comparison, this contrast…

It was like I “zeroed in” on seeing another layer…into the “picture” of Jesus that is painted for us to see and understand within the scriptures.

A picture of who Jesus is—and who He came for.

A picture of His heart of compassion for us, in spite of our mistakes, our weakness, and our sins.

When society rejects,

He comes closer,

He draws us back in…

And He reaches out

to touch us

with His perfect, healing hand.

He’s not afraid of our sins.

He says,

“I am willing; be cleansed.” (Mark 1:41-24)

He delivers,

He cleanses,

He sets us free…

and He draws us back in…

Jesus is our HOPE,

when there is no hope.

He is the heart of COMPASSION—a way made for us,

when there was no way.

He has made a way…

for us to be invited back in,

that we may be called

a “Child of God.”

He invites us,

He saves us,

He claims us…

He cleanses us,

He calls us…

…He reminds us,

that He loves us,

and that we belong to Him.

“Now this is what the LORD says— He who created you, O Jacob, and He who formed you, O Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are Mine!“—Isaiah 43:1

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”—1 John 1:9

Thank You, Lord Jesus. 💝

Thank You for making a way for us,

for cleansing us of our sins.

Thank You for drawing us close,

…for reaching out to us

with Your heart of compassion,

and Your perfect, healing hand.

…You save us,

You cleanse us,

and You draw us back in.

-Heather 🌺