I Do Choose!

I find great compassion in Jesus’ words today. “I do choose. Be made clean.”

Leprosy in Jesus’ time was a disease of the unclean. It could refer to many different skin diseases but the bottom line was people with leprosy were not welcome. These people were on the outskirts of society.

And the good news sings loud and clear: Jesus chooses this man; in his brokenness and despair, God chooses him. God heals.

I hope this is a message that you hear today as well. God chooses you; in all the stuff that is going on in your life, God chooses to love you, chooses to call you beloved, and to be present in your world.

I think that I struggle with this message of the gospel as some of you may, too. How can I be chosen? How can God love this? We may not live with a skin condition that excludes us from society, yet we all have our insecurities and failings that keep us from connecting with those around us.

But it’s true! You and I are God’s beloved. How can we keep this news quiet? Just like the leper, we too want to proclaim this news freely!

How can we not go and share that good news?

God, may we see each other as God's beloved and share the good news with all. Amen. — AA

Contributed by I Do Choose!

I find great compassion in Jesus' words today. "I do choose. Be made clean." Leprosy in Jesus' time was a disease of the unclean. It could refer to many different skin diseases but the bottom line was people with leprosy were not welcome. These people were on the outskirts of society. And the good news sings loud and clear: Jesus chooses this man; in his brokenness and despair, God chooses him. God heals. I hope this is a message that you hear today as well. God chooses you; in all the stuff that is going on in your life, God chooses to love you, chooses to call you beloved, and to be present in your world. I think that I struggle with this message of the gospel as some of you may, too. How can I be chosen? How can God love this? We may not live with a skin condition that excludes us from society, yet we all have our insecurities and failings that keep us from connecting with those around us. But it's true! You and I are God's beloved. How can we keep this news quiet? Just like the leper, we too want to proclaim this news freely! How can we not go and share that good news?
Eternity for Today