Today we begin Mark’s Gospel by reading Mark 1:1-5:21. Notice that Mark gets right down to business–no story of Jesus’ birth, no shepherds, angels or wise men. He jumps right in to the ministry of Jesus. Throughout the Gospel of Mark, we see Jesus loving people, communicating that love to them in all sorts of ways, and meeting their needs.

Today I will focus in on Mark 1:40-45. The situation was this: A man had leprosy. That meant he was religiously unclean. He coudn’t be in close proximity to other people. He definitely couldn’t be touched. He approached Jesus and asked for healing. And look at how Jesus communicated His love to that man:

Filled with compassion, Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cured.

Jesus did what all others considered unthinkable. He touched a leper. He wanted the man to have more than healing. He wanted the man to know he was loved.

What Biblical truths does God show me in this passage?
Jesus has compassion on those rejected by others. That compassion drives Him to action.

Since God tells us in the book of James to be doers of the Word and not merely hearers, how can I apply these Biblical truths to my life?
Today I will look for ways to “touch” people with Jesus’ love.