We Grow: A Journey of Drawing Closer to GodSample

Day 60 of 365

In today’s readings, we witness both the devastating consequences of physical illness and the miraculous healing power of Jesus. In Leviticus 13, we see the strict laws concerning skin diseases. Those afflicted were declared “unclean” and isolated from the community until they were healed. This separation wasn’t just physical; it was spiritual and emotional. The person deemed unclean was cut off from worship, family, and society. For many, this isolation must have felt like a life sentence, separating them from the most meaningful parts of their lives.

Then we turn to Mark 7, where we see Jesus healing a man who was deaf and mute. His condition, like the skin diseases in Leviticus, likely caused him to be ostracized and isolated. Yet, in a powerful display of compassion and authority, Jesus touches the man, speaks the words “Be opened,” and immediately restores his hearing and speech. This act of healing was not only physical—it was also social and spiritual. Jesus’s touch brought this man back into community, into relationship, and into a full life.

The Holy Spirit is actively at work in the world today, continuing the ministry of healing and restoration that Jesus began. The same Spirit who empowered Jesus to heal the sick is present in us. Romans 8:11 reminds us, “If the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of His Spirit who lives in you.” This verse speaks not only to the future resurrection but also to the healing power of the Spirit in our lives today.

Are there areas in your life that feel broken or “unclean”? Perhaps you’re dealing with physical illness, emotional wounds, or a sense of spiritual distance from God. Know that the Holy Spirit is present and willing to bring healing and restoration. Just as Jesus spoke the words “Be opened” to the deaf and mute man, the Spirit speaks those same words over the broken and closed-off areas of our lives.

Today, invite the Holy Spirit to work in your life in a new way. Ask Him to bring healing where it’s needed—whether in your body, mind, or spirit. The Spirit’s power is not limited by time or circumstance. Just as Jesus healed the deaf man, the Spirit can heal and restore you, bringing you back into full relationship with God and with others. Open your heart to the Spirit’s healing touch, and trust that He is at work, even in the areas that feel beyond hope. Let the Holy Spirit bring life, wholeness, and renewal to every part of your being.

S.O.A.P

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