On Sunday, March 12, 2023, VLC gathered in person which was also broadcasted online via YouTube. Pastor Stuart Nice continued our series “A Closer Walk with Jesus.” Today, we look at the story of Jesus healing a man with leprosy. Pastor Stuart likens leprosy to sin and shame and through Jesus’ touch we have been forgiven and released from sin and shame. Even so, we have a choice to listen to our adversary (the presence of evil in the world), who wants to keep us bound to shame, or to the Holy Spirit, who reminds us of Christ’s reconciling work that makes us new and free. (2 Corinthians 5:17-19)

While Jesus was in one of the towns, a man came along who was covered with leprosy. When he saw Jesus, he fell with his face to the ground and begged him, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.”
Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” And immediately the leprosy left him.
Then Jesus ordered him, “Don’t tell anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them.”
Yet the news about him spread all the more, so that crowds of people came to hear him and to be healed of their sicknesses. But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.
Luke 5:12-16 (NIV)