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Have you ever heard the saying, "Any port in a storm?" It's an old
sailing expression that means when the sea is raging and the ship is
taking on water, a captain will dock at any available port to reach the
safety of land. This leper was certainly desperate.
Who knows how long the terrible disease had been devastating his life?
He knew the only way he could get rid of it and return to society was
through a miracle. He was looking for a port in a storm. The port he
found was at the feet of the only person with
the power and grace to grant him his request.
In the same way, we with our sin-ravaged lives know that the only place where we can find forgiveness and comfort in our guilt and failure is at the feet of our Savior Jesus.
Ash Wednesday is a day designed both to bring this fact into clear focus-- and because it is the beginning of a
40-day journey to Christ's cross and empty tomb-- to remind us that
repentance and faith in Jesus' redeeming
work are the way Jesus' healing touch daily meets our deepest needs.
From ancient times (e.g. Job and David) ashes have symbolized
deepest sorrow and our abject spiritual poverty. Whether or not a cross
of ash marks your forehead this day, it should mark your heart as you
confess with the hymnwriter, "Nothing in my hand I bring, Simply to Your cross I cling."
In the midst of His disciples, the multitudes, and all the hubbub that
went with being a national celebrity, Jesus took the time to reveal His
power to the unclean and unworthy leper. He showed His great grace and
mercy by having compassion on this lowly leper.
Jesus touched him and said, "I will; be clean." And immediately his
leprosy was cleansed. Jesus does not discriminate against the weak, and
of that we should be ever thankful!
Think about your life and the past mistakes which may be haunting you to
this day. Jesus looks at each of us in our sinful state, hears our
request for forgiveness, and says, "I am willing. Be forgiven." How
comforting to know that we, in our sin-weakened condition,
can have confidence and boldness in approaching our Savior. Since Jesus
has given us boundless forgiveness, we can trust that He will also
surely care for all our needs!
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