“The inoculation for isolation’s pain is to first totally trust the loving touch of Jesus.”
Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – March 1, 2021
A man with leprosy came to Jesus, imploring Him and kneeling down, and saying to Him, “If You are willing, You can make me clean. Moved with compassion, Jesus reached out with His hand and touched him, and said to him, “I am willing; be cleansed. Mark 1:40-41, NASB
My friend who lives two states north of me has a younger brother close to death. We caught up by phone this past Friday. Heartbroken—his grieving had already commenced, “He is the kindest man I have ever met—I’m so grateful my brother is ready to see the loving face of Jesus.” Yes, another COVID victim, connected to the hissing ventilator—like a venomous snake, sucking life from a once vibrant being. Isolated. Dark. Dangerous. Alone and afraid. But hopeful, as heaven awaits to greet him. But still, this is hard, so hard. If not for God’s love—healing isolation’s pain.
Jesus encounters the sad site of a precious man, inflicted with incurable leprosy—quarantined for a lifetime of isolation. Saddled with the shameful task of declaring himself unclean to anyone who might venture too close—as if seeing his wretched condition was not warning enough. But his desperate situation caused his tortured soul to seek out the only One who could free his mind and body from this prison of pain. A life of solitary confinement—a result of disease, not a crime against society. Hopeful, he implored his Creator to make right this wrong—and He did. Jesus, as He does so often, was moved with compassion to touch the untouchable—compassion cleansed Him. The inoculation to isolation’s pain is to first totally trust the loving touch of Jesus.
“Why are you in despair, my soul? And why are you restless within me? Wait for God, for I will again praise Him For the help of His presence, my God” (Psalm 42:5, NASB).
Are you weary? Exhausted from the emotional fatigue of hearing of another one whose life is being quietly swept away? Anonymous to most, isolated, maybe with loved ones around, grateful for the courageous medical staff to ease the pain during their last days. It seems like the Lord is absent, if not, why doesn’t He do something to make things better? When our global community writhes in pain, matters seem worse, more pronounced—no doubt a pandemic compounds the pain. This overwhelming plague shouts out for relief, a touch from the Divine’s healing love.
I have to remind myself daily of my need for a touch from Christ’s compassion to heal my cynical heart. Otherwise, I can read the negative newsfeeds and all they do is reinforce my fears. Maybe, instead of venting my frustrations over social media, like tossing hot grease on a scolded dog—I’m better off to bear my soul with my Savior. Have a little talk with Jesus, and invite His love and mercy to mend my grieving heart. When I isolate my pain, I feed my judgmental self to incite angry reactions. But when I verbalize hurt, Lord I feel alone, insignificant and unsure. It’s here in my vulnerable confession of uncleanliness, that Jesus’ generous compassion cleanses me.
“Be gracious to me, God, according to Your faithfulness; According to the greatness of Your compassion, wipe out my wrongdoings. Wash me thoroughly from my guilt and cleanse me from my sin” (Psalm 51:1-2, NASB).
Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me lean into your healing compassion to heal my pain, through Christ’s love and in His name I pray, amen.
Application
What painful point in my life do I need to verbalize to the Lord in humble confession?
Related Reading
Exodus 34:6; 2 Chronicles 30:9; Luke 7:13; James 5:11
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