May 20, 2024 Devo

I want you to catch a statement by Jesus in this story that may have slipped by you. “I will come and heal him.” At first, it doesn’t jump out at us. Jesus went many places. He visited with lots of different people. But this was different. This was a Roman soldier. This would take Jesus to a different part of town. This would place Him in an unholy place surrounded by unholy people. The moment that Jesus crosses that threshold into this man’s home, He becomes ceremonially unclean. He would be scrutinized and criticized by the religious leaders. He would cause questions and doubts in the minds of His followers. “Good” people don’t go into dark places. But Jesus does.
If Jesus wanted to be in a “good” place, He would have stayed in Heaven. No sin. No evil. Beauty and joy beyond what the human mind can imagine. But it was for the very reason that the world IS full of sin and sorrow and evil that Jesus came. Sick people need a doctor. Darkness needs the illumination of light. And the filth of this world needed Someone who could wash them clean. That would be Jesus.
That’s why Jesus came to this dark world. That’s why He was fine with being born in a dirty barn. That’s why He was willing to walk among sinful people, even religious ones who thought they were righteous. And that’s why Jesus looked at the Roman officer and blew his mind by saying, “I’ll come and heal him.” Jesus was quite at home where most “good” people would never go.
Rest in that thought. Whatever dark place you find yourself in today, Jesus will meet you there. In your home with abusive family members. At work with your foul-mouthed fellow workers. He’ll go wherever He’s needed and meet you wherever you need Him. He’s willing to go wherever someone you love needs Him. Even if you feel totally inadequate and unworthy, cry out to Him. Jesus is willing to come and bring healing and light to you. The Light of the World is comfortable in the darkest corners of our lives because He takes His Light with Him. He’s even willing to bring it to YOU. That’s God’s Word for you today.