And behold, a leper came to him and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, if you will, you can make me clean.” And Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, “I will; be clean.” And immediately his leprosy was cleansed. (Matthew 8:2, 3 ESV)

Leprosy is a body- and soul-destroying disease. Even until recent times lepers were isolated to prevent the spread of infection. In Jesus’ day Read more

When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. (Ps. 56:3 ESV)

Doctors tell us we respond to fear in one of two ways: fight or flight. When confronted with danger we either get our backs up and fight or turn tail and run. How many interactions with family or friends can be explained by those two responses? Read more

Taking her by the hand he said to her, “Talitha cumi,” which means, “Little girl, I say to you, arise.” (Mk. 5:41 ESV)

It was any parent’s worst nightmare. His little daughter was dying. But Jairus knew a healer was near. He found Jesus and fell at his feet, imploring him to come quickly to her before she died. But Jesus was delayed (by another healing!) and soon others told Jairus not to bother Jesus because his little girl was already dead. Read more

And you murmured in your tents and said, ‘Because the Lord hated us he has brought us out of the land of Egypt, to give us into the hand of the Amorites, to destroy us.’ (Dt. 1:27)

Israel was on a journey. God’s journey. But when they came to the edge of the promised land fear took over; they balked and rebelled.

Moses challenged them, but he did not say, “You cowards!” or “You fools!” He charged them instead with defective theology, a perverted knowledge of God. They blamed God for their predicament, saying “Because the Lord hated us….” (Doxa–what a person believes–has everything to do with praxis–how he lives.)

On the other hand, Moses saw the exodus and journey to Canaan of a piece with God’s providence. He knew they were there because the Lord loved them. That did not mean there would be no difficulties on the way.

We too are on a journey. It is a journey governed by God’s love for us. We will encounter unexpected turns and many causes for fear and distrust. Only with a true knowledge of the God who journeys with us will we see it aright.

–William Price