Prepare for Easter

Saturday, March 14, 2020

About My Father’s Business:

A Lenten Devotional Guide

And it happened when He was in a certain city, that behold, a man who was full of leprosy saw Jesus; and he fell on his face and implored Him, saying, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.” Then He put out His hand and touched him….
Luke 5:12-13 NKJV

In order to be about the Father’s business, one must be so focused that his actions are not influenced by custom or law or political correctness. That’s the picture of Jesus that we have here.

The streets are narrow and people are crowded in as they went about their business – not necessarily the Father’s. Jesus’ popularity was growing, so we can imagine that even if he were not teaching, people must have noticed him, pointed a finger, wondering if he were the one doing the miraculous acts. Whatever the situation, the leper recognized him at once. Don’t forget that this leper was forbidden by law from moving about the streets. If he did go among people, he had to continually cry out, “Unclean! Unclean!” Everyone avoided a leper. Not Jesus.

Leprosy was and still is today a terrible disease. Jesus knew the danger and the law. When he heard this man’s desperate cry, he did not ignore him. To everyone’s shock, he not only stopped but he touched him! How disgusting! He touched a leper. How long had it been since someone had touched the man? Imagine how the warmth of Jesus’ hand must have felt to this poor soul. The Father’s business – touching untouchables!

We can relate to the leper. We don’t have leprosy, but our lives were ugly and self-centered, separating us from God. Then the hand of Jesus touched us, and now we are no longer the same.

Father, Oh, Father, how we thank you for your touch. Amen

About My Father’s Business:

A Lenten Devotional Guide
prepared for First United Methodist Church of Homosassa, Florida
Spring 2010
by Patience Nave, Christian Education Coordinator