Universal Utterings®
for June 28, 2024

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06-28-2024 Matthew 8 V-0103 Leper Cleansed; A Display of Jesus’ Compassion and Authority

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The Book of Matthew 8 v- One thru Three

1 When Jesus came down from the mountain, great crowds followed him. 2 And then a leper approached, did him homage, and said, “Lord, if you wish, you can make me clean.” 3 He stretched out his hand, touched him, and said, “I will do it. Be made clean.” His leprosy was cleansed immediately.

Matthew 8:1-4 recounts an emotional and powerful moment in the ministry of Jesus Christ, highlighting both His compassion and His divine authority. As Jesus descends from the mountain after delivering the Sermon on the Mount, He is approached by a man suffering from leprosy, a debilitating and socially ostracizing condition. The leper's approach is bold yet reverent; he kneels before Jesus, acknowledging His power with the words, "Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean."

This act of humility and faith sets the stage for a profound miracle. The leper’s request is not merely for physical healing but for restoration to the community, as leprosy rendered individuals ritually unclean and isolated from society. Jesus' response is both compassionate and immediate. He stretches out His hand and touches the man, saying, "I am willing. Be clean!" The touch is significant, as it breaks social and religious norms; touching a leper was believed to cause ritual impurity. However, Jesus' touch does the opposite—it purifies.

Instantly, the man is healed, his leprosy cleansed. This miracle underscores Jesus' authority over illness and impurity, demonstrating that His power transcends conventional boundaries. Furthermore, Jesus instructs the healed man to go and show himself to the priest and to offer the gift prescribed by Moses as a testimony to them. This directive aligns with Levitical law, which required a priest's inspection and a prescribed offering before a healed leper could be reintegrated into society (Leviticus 14:1-32).

By adhering to this law, Jesus not only respects Jewish customs but also provides a testimony to the religious authorities of His messianic identity and the fulfillment of the Law. This passage, therefore, encapsulates a profound theological truth: Jesus is the compassionate healer who brings holistic restoration, emphasizing both physical healing and spiritual reconciliation; a Leper Cleansed by the Mercy of our Lord. Amen.

Join me as we pray our daily prayer of forgiveness. The Lord’s Prayer.

At the Savior's command and formed by divine teaching, we dare to say:

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Deliver us, Lord, we pray, from every evil, graciously grant peace in our days, that, by the help of your mercy, we may be always free from sin and safe from all distress, as we await the blessed hope and the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ. For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours now and for ever. Amen.

I am sorry Lord. I believe You died and rose for me. Please forgive me as I forgive others. I share You as my Lord and Savior seeking to live your Will in all things. Prayers for wife Toni and my mother Betty pray for our children especially our two oldest Alexandra & Allen Son in Law Mark Stern; Julian, Gabriel and Jeffrey and our grandchildren Oliver, Julian and Elliott. We pray for those we’ve said we’d pray for and those who’ve asked us to pray for them. We pray for the dying as we do each day Lord give them peace in their last breath. We pray for Holy Mother Church. Our prayers for our niece Brittany. In Jesus Precious Blood by His Name we pray. Amen.

I am a poet obedient to Christ,
Catholic Evangelist Thomas Cruz†Wiggins

Practice. Pray. Proclaim. ®
†Spirit led God inspired Christ fed†®
Ephesians 6:17-20

06-28-2024 Matthew 8 v-0103

**Leper Cleansed by the Mercy of our Lord**

Upon the mountain's gentle slope, He walked with grace divine,

A leper came with humble hope, his faith a fervent sign.

"Lord, if You're willing, make me clean," his plea both bold and true,

With mercy in His eyes serene, Christ knew what He must do.

A touch so rare, a touch so kind, the Savior's hand did reach,

Defying norms of humankind, His actions they did teach.

"I am willing," Jesus spoke, "Be clean," His words profound,

And in that moment, healing broke, the leper's health unbound.

No longer marked by cruel disease, his skin like new again,

A miracle that brought him peace, and freedom from his pain.

"Go, show the priest," the Master said, "and offer as you should,

A testimony of what's been led, a witness to the good."

Through this act, the message clear, of Christ's redeeming love,

He heals the broken, draws them near, with power from above.

A story told through ages past, of hope and faith restored,

In Matthew's words, the truth will last, the mercy of our Lord. Amen.

© Thomas Joe Cruz†Wiggins

June 28, 2024 @ 06:33 AM EST

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