This past Sunday we sang these words together.

Come ye, sinners, heavy laden
Weak and wounded, sick and sore
Jesus, ready, stands to save you
Full of pity, love, and power

In our passage this Sunday we will see how true this is. A man “full of leprosy,” socially outcast, desperate to be healed and restored to his community dares to approach Jesus with the confidence that “if you will, you can make me clean.” How does Jesus respond? “I will; be clean.”

Another man, paralyzed and unable to come to Jesus on his own is carried to Jesus by friends with the same confidence the leper had. Jesus’ response exceeds their expectations. Not only does the man leave carrying the very mat he had been lying on, he hears the precious words, “Man, your sins are forgiven you.” Jesus has the authority and willingness to heal the soul sickness that truly makes us unclean and cuts us off from God.

This Sunday, Rob Lister will be preaching Luke 5:12-26 and Kenny Clark will be leading our sung worship. As you take time to read and reflect on the passage this week, would you pray for each as they prepare? And pray that we would come away from our encounter with Jesus this Sunday like those who saw the paralyzed man walk home. “Amazement seized them all, and they glorified God and were filled with awe, saying, ‘We have seen extraordinary things today.’” (Luke 5:26)

Join us this Sunday, Grace. Invite a guest, and come hungry!

Song Link of the Week

Come to Me by Village Church (featuring Lauren Chandler)

Bring Him all thy burdens
All thy guilt and sin
Mercy’s door is open
Rise up and enter in