Matthew 8:1-3
When Jesus came down from the mountain, great crowds followed him. And then a leper approached, did him homage, and said, “Lord, if you wish, you can make me clean.” He stretched out his hand, touched him, and said, “I will do it. Be made clean.” His leprosy was cleansed immediately.

The leper is an outcast due to his disease. The religious community of the time would have expelled him as “unclean.” His disease would have been seen as a punishment from God for some kind of sinfulness. In reality…expelling the leper was the religious community’s sin. Jesus heals him so he would be included again. How do we expel others due to their differences or something we find “distasteful”? Jesus became the ultimate outcast on the cross so that through His forgiveness and His resurrection…all would know: Throw no one out. All are included in God’s kingdom…and that includes you…as well as the person who irritates you!

Suggested song of the day– “All Are Welcome” on the Give Praise and Thanks album.
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Have a blessed day!