Friday June 30, 2023

Matthew 8:1-4

After Jesus had come down from the mountain large crowds followed him. A leper now came up and bowed low in front of him. ‘Sir,’ he said ‘if you want to, you can cure me.’ Jesus stretched out his hand, touched him and said, ‘Of course I want to! Be cured!’

Some times I read and there is joy in my spirit, other times I read and there is a lump in my throat. “If you want, you can make me clean…” I do not only hear those words but I see Jesus walking towards the man and hugging him forever, wiping his tears and saying “of course, of course” Two men hugging, two men allowing and giving each other that space needed for healing.

You know there isn’t that much room in the world for men to be heard. Society does not allow us to cry or not have answers. As the old man would say “dust yourself up and get to it, tears don’t milk the cows!” Last year I had Lee Bridgewater simply tell me “come here, let it out man” He is a BIG MAN and he gave me space to cry. On another occasion I pulled over a man who was not driving correctly. When I approached him, he was distraught and as I was finishing up the traffic stop he said, can I get a hug. Yes, yes hang in there I said.

You know, women do a better job at checking in with each other. We can learn something from them. “Of course, I want to. Be whole Jesus said”