February 6, 2021

Dear Road Church Friends,

During this season of Epiphany we have been looking for “Aha” moments of light and truth from the beginning of Jesus’ ministry according to the Gospel of Mark. This week’s episode takes place during Jesus’ very successful tour of Galilee. As he traveled through rural villages and towns speaking in synagogues and the open air he acquired a reputation as an amazing teacher and healer. Mark says Jesus healed many people but he gives us only one incident. This is a clue that he saw something in it that set it apart from all the other healings. I believe it has to do with the Master’s touch of someone whom the law said was untouchable.

Our scripture reading for this week is Mark 1:38-45. Sermon title: “The Master’s Touch” A leper approached Jesus and asked to be cleansed of a dread disease that made him a pariah to his community. Verse 41 says, “Jesus was moved with pity.” If you read the footnote in your Bible, it indicates other ancient manuscripts read, Jesus became angry. These seem to be two very different responses to a request for healing from a leper. We will look at this story from each perspective and see that both shed light on how we can bring the Master’s touch to the lives of others in our community.

 SCRIPTURE READING

Mark 1:38-45

Jesus said, “Let us go on to the neighboring towns, so that I may proclaim the message there also; for that is what I came out to do.” And he went throughout Galilee, proclaiming the message in their synagogues and casting out demons. A leper came to him and said, “If you choose, you can make me clean.” Moved with pity, [anger], Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, and said, “I do choose. Be made clean!” Immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean. After sternly warning him he sent him away at once, saying, “See that you say nothing to anyone; but go, show yourself to the priest, and offer for your cleansing what Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.” But he went out and began to proclaim it freely, and to spread the word, so that Jesus could no longer go into a town openly, but stayed out in the country; and people came to him from every quarter.

THE TOUCH OF THE MASTER’S HAND

And many a man with life out of tune,

And battered and scattered with sin,

Is auctioned cheap to the thoughtless crowd,

Much like the old violin.

A “mess of pottage,” a glass of wine,

A game—and he travels on.

He’s “going” once, and “going” twice,

He’s “going” and almost gone.

But the Master comes and the foolish crowd

Never can quite understand

The worth of a soul and the change that’s wrought

By the touch of the Master’s hand.

By Myra Brooks Welch

Blessings to all,

Pastor Norm

Sunday morning worship service on YouTube: https://youtu.be/eOvWjguxHJk