You Don't Have to Be Perfect

In Mark 1:40-45, we read of a leper approaching Jesus and begging to be made clean. He was one of the outcasts - rejected by society and probably his family, too. But he dared to try. He heard of One who could change that.  He said to Jesus: "If you want to, You can make me whole! If you care enough, will you cleanse me?" He knew Jesus had the power to cleanse him.

Jesus did something that must have sent a shock wave through the crowd. He not only cared but He touched an unclean leper. Jesus full of compassion, touched and healed him! That "touch" is the vital part of this encounter. His touch not only released God's power but it conveyed for all to see that he - a leper and social reject - was accepted.

The leper was made whole both internally and physically. He was no longer rejected but fully accepted. It changed his life, just as it will yours and mine. No one can feel the "accepting" touch of God and remain the same. It is in the power of His acceptance that frees us from rejection. So just like the leper, we don't have to be perfect to be accepted.

Pastor Doris Sanchez

Pastor Doris Sanchez is an Administrator and Small Group Pastor at Family Worship Center in Albuquerque, NM.