# 252 Today’s Living Word comes from Mark 1:44,45 “and said to him, "See that you say nothing to anyone; but go your way, show yourself to the priest, and offer for your cleansing those things which Moses commanded, as a testimony to them." However, he went out and began to proclaim it freely, and to spread the matter, so that Jesus could no longer openly enter the city, but was outside in deserted places; and they came to Him from every direction.”
Sternly warned by Jesus to not say anything about the miracle, the leper does just the opposite! One can hardly blame him, what would’ve you done after such a miraculous event in your own life? But look what happened.
The people became miracle minded. So much so, that Jesus couldn’t even enter a city because of the press of the crowds. This “miracle-mindedness” crowded out the message that Jesus was to bring to the people, namely “Repent and believe in the gospel!” (Mark 1:15)
Have you experienced a miracle in your life? Praise the Lord! But be careful in how you share that good news, lest you cloud over and crowd out the greatest news of all. People don’t need to be chasing miracles as much as they need to be chasing the cross. The main message of Jesus remains. “Repent and believe in the gospel!”
It's at the cross that the clarity and power of that message hits home as we observe the terrible price He paid for our sins and the proof of the outlandish love God has for each one of us.
Joh 3:16 does not say that God so loved the world that He performed miracles. It says "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
This is the greatest miracle of all!
I’m Duane Matz and that’s today’s Living Word.
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Monday, October 18, 2010
Why Was the Leper Told To Be Silent?
# 251 Today’s Living Word comes from Mark 1:43,44. “And He strictly warned him and sent him away at once, and said to him, "See that you say nothing to anyone; but go your way, show yourself to the priest, and offer for your cleansing those things which Moses commanded, as a testimony to them."
Jesus makes a special point to sternly speak to the healed leper. I can almost see Him cupping the lepers face in His hands and saying, “Listen to me, you must immediately journey to Jerusalem. I know that’s a fairly long journey, and I know you are excited about being cured, but I want you to remain silent about what happened here until you have completed those things required in the Law concerning cleansed lepers.” Then he sent the man on his way.
Why the code of silence? This is big exciting news! When God cleansed you from the leprosy of your sin, you were so excited that you couldn’t help but tell others, and that’s a good thing! But what is Jesus trying to teach the leper here? What is he trying to teach us?
I believe the main issue here is not silence, rather it is prioritizing obedience to God's Word.
Jesus is saying, the deliverance from sin is not validated by our telling, but by our doing. By that I mean, we can talk about our forgiveness till the cows come home, but if we don't validate it with a changed life, a life that earnestly seeks to honor Jesus as Lord, we have faith without works and as we read in James 2:20, “faith without works is dead?”
Now that you have been cleansed from your sin, what are you doing with His Word? Are you just talking about it or are you proving it with your actions?
I’m Duane Matz and that’s today’s Living Word.
Jesus makes a special point to sternly speak to the healed leper. I can almost see Him cupping the lepers face in His hands and saying, “Listen to me, you must immediately journey to Jerusalem. I know that’s a fairly long journey, and I know you are excited about being cured, but I want you to remain silent about what happened here until you have completed those things required in the Law concerning cleansed lepers.” Then he sent the man on his way.
Why the code of silence? This is big exciting news! When God cleansed you from the leprosy of your sin, you were so excited that you couldn’t help but tell others, and that’s a good thing! But what is Jesus trying to teach the leper here? What is he trying to teach us?
I believe the main issue here is not silence, rather it is prioritizing obedience to God's Word.
Jesus is saying, the deliverance from sin is not validated by our telling, but by our doing. By that I mean, we can talk about our forgiveness till the cows come home, but if we don't validate it with a changed life, a life that earnestly seeks to honor Jesus as Lord, we have faith without works and as we read in James 2:20, “faith without works is dead?”
Now that you have been cleansed from your sin, what are you doing with His Word? Are you just talking about it or are you proving it with your actions?
I’m Duane Matz and that’s today’s Living Word.
Friday, October 15, 2010
Earnestly Desire Forgiveness
# 250 Today’s Living Word comes from Mark 1:40-42 “Now a leper came to Him, imploring Him, kneeling down to Him and saying to Him, "If You are willing, You can make me clean." Then Jesus, moved with compassion, stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, "I am willing; be cleansed." As soon as He had spoken, immediately the leprosy left him, and he was cleansed.“
Have you wandered away from the faith of your youth? Have you been caught up in worldly living and a leprous life of sin. Learn from this leper. He came to Jesus imploring Him, in other words he was earnest in attitude.
Then he knelt before him. This kneeling is significant because it indicates that he recognizes Jesus as his Lord. He then confesses Jesus as Lord when he acknowledges that Jesus can just say the word and he can be made clean.
This leper met the criteria found in Romans 10:9,10, “that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe (recognize) in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes (recognizes Jesus as God) unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
Jesus, was moved with compassion, that is, He ached for this man, and He said, “I am willing” then He touched him and cleansed him.
O sinner, Jesus aches to touch you! He is willing to cleanse you from your sins no matter how bad you may think they are. Earnestly come to Him, acknowledge your need, recognize Him as God, and confess Him as Lord and be cleansed!
I'm Duane Matz and that’s today’s Living Word.
Have you wandered away from the faith of your youth? Have you been caught up in worldly living and a leprous life of sin. Learn from this leper. He came to Jesus imploring Him, in other words he was earnest in attitude.
Then he knelt before him. This kneeling is significant because it indicates that he recognizes Jesus as his Lord. He then confesses Jesus as Lord when he acknowledges that Jesus can just say the word and he can be made clean.
This leper met the criteria found in Romans 10:9,10, “that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe (recognize) in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes (recognizes Jesus as God) unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
Jesus, was moved with compassion, that is, He ached for this man, and He said, “I am willing” then He touched him and cleansed him.
O sinner, Jesus aches to touch you! He is willing to cleanse you from your sins no matter how bad you may think they are. Earnestly come to Him, acknowledge your need, recognize Him as God, and confess Him as Lord and be cleansed!
I'm Duane Matz and that’s today’s Living Word.
Thursday, October 14, 2010
A Connection Between Leprosy and Sin
# 249 Today’s Living Word comes from Mark 1:39,40 “And He was preaching in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, and casting out demons. Now a leper came to Him,”
“A leper came to Him.” There was no class of people who were more outcast than those afflicted with leprosy. They were forbidden to live in walled cities. They were not allowed to greet or touch others. Whenever they approached anyone they were required to announce that they were unclean. It was a gruesome flesh eating disease.
All lepers were no doubt desperate, but this leper was also courageous and full of faith for in spite of his lot, he came to Jesus.
Leprosy starts out as little specks on the eyelids and then moves to the hands, and then wastes the rest of the body. It is a good picture of sin and it’s effects. Sin begins with the lust of the eyes and then breaks out in the action of our hands, if left unchecked it will eat us up and destroy us.
Perhaps you have been infected with the leprosy of some specific sins, perhaps you feel like a hopeless, unforgivable outcast. In your own desperation, be courageous and come to Jesus just as this leper did and humbly ask Him to heal you of your sin disease. Jesus promises to not turn you away. “and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out” .(John 6:37) And He promises to cleanse you of your sins. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 Jn 1:9)
Be courageous. Have faith and bring your sins to Jesus.
I’m Duane Matz and that’s today’s Living Word.
“A leper came to Him.” There was no class of people who were more outcast than those afflicted with leprosy. They were forbidden to live in walled cities. They were not allowed to greet or touch others. Whenever they approached anyone they were required to announce that they were unclean. It was a gruesome flesh eating disease.
All lepers were no doubt desperate, but this leper was also courageous and full of faith for in spite of his lot, he came to Jesus.
Leprosy starts out as little specks on the eyelids and then moves to the hands, and then wastes the rest of the body. It is a good picture of sin and it’s effects. Sin begins with the lust of the eyes and then breaks out in the action of our hands, if left unchecked it will eat us up and destroy us.
Perhaps you have been infected with the leprosy of some specific sins, perhaps you feel like a hopeless, unforgivable outcast. In your own desperation, be courageous and come to Jesus just as this leper did and humbly ask Him to heal you of your sin disease. Jesus promises to not turn you away. “and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out” .(John 6:37) And He promises to cleanse you of your sins. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 Jn 1:9)
Be courageous. Have faith and bring your sins to Jesus.
I’m Duane Matz and that’s today’s Living Word.
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Don't Get Too Comfortable
# 248 Today’s Living Word comes from Mark 1:35-38 Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed. And Simon and those who were with Him searched for Him. When they found Him, they said to Him, "Everyone is looking for You." But He said to them, "Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also, because for this purpose I have come forth."
What was Jesus praying about? We aren’t told for certain, but it seems that when Peter and the others found Him, He had a new resolve. “Let’s not hang around here! I’ve been speaking to My Father about this since early this morning, and He reminded Me that I’ve been called to do more than minister to the people of Capernaum, we need to move on.” I think Jesus got up extra early to pray because there was a strong temptation to stay in the comfortable surroundings of Capernaum.
I think the lesson for us is to resist the temptation to become too comfortable with our own Christian surroundings. We also need to press on, always stretching our comfort zone, always seeking to grow spiritually, as we work out our own calling in the kingdom of God.
I’m Duane Matz and that’s today’s Living Word.
What was Jesus praying about? We aren’t told for certain, but it seems that when Peter and the others found Him, He had a new resolve. “Let’s not hang around here! I’ve been speaking to My Father about this since early this morning, and He reminded Me that I’ve been called to do more than minister to the people of Capernaum, we need to move on.” I think Jesus got up extra early to pray because there was a strong temptation to stay in the comfortable surroundings of Capernaum.
I think the lesson for us is to resist the temptation to become too comfortable with our own Christian surroundings. We also need to press on, always stretching our comfort zone, always seeking to grow spiritually, as we work out our own calling in the kingdom of God.
I’m Duane Matz and that’s today’s Living Word.
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Get Alone With God
# 247 Today’s Living Word comes from Mark 1:35 “Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed.”
What can we learn about prayer from our Master in this passage? In addition to praying extra early we see that He departed to a solitary place. It is good to find such a place, a place where you can be alone and verbally express yourself without restraint. Jesus even did that in the Garden of Gethsemane as He withdrew about a stone’s throw away from His disciples to pray.
Here in Capernaum, Jesus had likely spent the night at Peter’s house and the house was probably very crowded with people, but that didn’t stop Him from His appointed time with the Father. One can almost see Him, quietly stepping over those asleep on the floor and slipping out the door to find that solitary meeting place.
How about you? What do you do when you are out of town or spending the night at someone else’s house? Do you use that as an excuse to skip prayer, or do you still get up, and quietly slip out to find a solitary place to keep your appointment with Father God? He is everywhere you know, and He waits for you no matter where you happen to be.
I’m Duane Matz and that’s today’s Living Word.
What can we learn about prayer from our Master in this passage? In addition to praying extra early we see that He departed to a solitary place. It is good to find such a place, a place where you can be alone and verbally express yourself without restraint. Jesus even did that in the Garden of Gethsemane as He withdrew about a stone’s throw away from His disciples to pray.
Here in Capernaum, Jesus had likely spent the night at Peter’s house and the house was probably very crowded with people, but that didn’t stop Him from His appointed time with the Father. One can almost see Him, quietly stepping over those asleep on the floor and slipping out the door to find that solitary meeting place.
How about you? What do you do when you are out of town or spending the night at someone else’s house? Do you use that as an excuse to skip prayer, or do you still get up, and quietly slip out to find a solitary place to keep your appointment with Father God? He is everywhere you know, and He waits for you no matter where you happen to be.
I’m Duane Matz and that’s today’s Living Word.
Monday, October 11, 2010
Commit To Morning Prayer
# 246 Today’s Living Word comes from Mark 1:35 “Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed.”
What can we learn about prayer from our Master in this passage? First of all note that He was up well before dawn. It is wise to rise early before your day begins to spend time in prayer. I have heard people say that they aren’t “morning” people and therefore do not take the time to pray in the morning. When one thinks of the potential (good or bad) for any given day, one can see how foolish this attitude is.
Listen, you don’t have to be a “morning” person to pray in the morning. All you have to be is a “committed” person. Commit to setting your alarm just fifteen minutes earlier each day for one month, for the sole purpose of spending that extra fifteen minutes communicating with the Lord through daily Bible reading and then talking to the Lord about His Word and the day He has set before you.
Thank Him for His forgiveness of yesterday's sins and keeping you safe through the night, ask Him to keep you from sin and every evil for this new day. Place yourself at His disposal, a living sacrifice, for the sole purpose of doing His will, and ask Him to keep you from the evil one and all his ways. Then, armed with the sword of the Spirit (the Word of God) you will be better prepared for the day.
If you do this, I think that by the end of the month, you’ll wonder why you never did it before.
I’m Duane Matz and that’s today’s Living Word.
What can we learn about prayer from our Master in this passage? First of all note that He was up well before dawn. It is wise to rise early before your day begins to spend time in prayer. I have heard people say that they aren’t “morning” people and therefore do not take the time to pray in the morning. When one thinks of the potential (good or bad) for any given day, one can see how foolish this attitude is.
Listen, you don’t have to be a “morning” person to pray in the morning. All you have to be is a “committed” person. Commit to setting your alarm just fifteen minutes earlier each day for one month, for the sole purpose of spending that extra fifteen minutes communicating with the Lord through daily Bible reading and then talking to the Lord about His Word and the day He has set before you.
Thank Him for His forgiveness of yesterday's sins and keeping you safe through the night, ask Him to keep you from sin and every evil for this new day. Place yourself at His disposal, a living sacrifice, for the sole purpose of doing His will, and ask Him to keep you from the evil one and all his ways. Then, armed with the sword of the Spirit (the Word of God) you will be better prepared for the day.
If you do this, I think that by the end of the month, you’ll wonder why you never did it before.
I’m Duane Matz and that’s today’s Living Word.
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