Mark 2:1-3:6 forms a unit showing the expanding opposition to Jesus from the religious leaders – and it all begins with the deepest human need: forgiveness.

In 2:2 we read that Jesus was preaching “the word” to a crowd gathered in a house – -that is the good news of the gospel (1:14-15), that salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, for the forgiveness of sin.

“If You are willing, You can make me clean” (Mark 1:40)

In our passage from Mark this morning we see Jesus continuing to be involved in people’s lives and see yet again His compassion for those in great need.

But in this case it is with a man whose condition we have little connection with – leprosy (though sadly it is apparently on the rise in some aboriginal communities). Leprosy involved being both a medical and social outcast.

A special mother’s day creed for your consideration.

J A Alexander writes concerning the practice of Jesus in Mark 1:35 that it is ‘the most compelling proof of the necessity of prayer to our spiritual life.’

Did we, do we need such proof? Isn’t very reality of our spiritual life enough to encourage us to seek the face of the Lord in prayer, to know how much we need to spend time communing with our God?