Mercy

He was an outcast. His family had turned their backs on him, his town wanted nothing to do with him. Sleeping was almost impossible, with the oozing sores and scabs all over his body that would not heal. If anyone accidentally came near him, he had to yell out "Unclean! Unclean!" so they could avoid him. Caves became his home, and wild animals his only real company. He looked wild himself, being required by law to wear clothes of mourning, and to allow his hair to be wild and unkempt. It was a lonely life he lived. His memories of days past haunted him, days where he didn't feel the pain of his condition, or the pain of rejection. He would give anything to have someone look on him with something other than disgust and horror. 

Then he overheard passersby speak of a man named Jesus who had arrived in his hometown. They were talking about how Jesus had healed the sick, the lame, even the blind. If he could just get close to this man, maybe He would have pity on him, and would not shy away from him like everyone else did. So he took a chance. Since he was not allowed to come close to anyone, he slinked his way to the outskirts of town. And there He was... Jesus. Fearing rejection, he almost turned around, almost gave up the hope that was deep in his heart that this man could heal him. But he was exhausted from his journey and from the life he lived. His legs gave out, and he cried, "Jesus, have mercy on me!" 

Jesus turned to him. The look of tenderness on Jesus' face brought tears to the man's eyes. He made His way to this man, who had not felt human touch or human sympathy in a long time. Jesus opened His arms and held him like a father holds a hurting child, and healed his body from the sores and discolored skin. He not only healed the man on the outside, but on the inside as well. He gave him a new life. 

Our lives are precious to Jesus. He doesn't see the dirt and the grime, or the scars of battles we've waged in the past. He sees a lonely heart, and a beauty that is deep within. He has scars as well, evidence of His own battle, a battle He won. And because of this, we can have a new life, a life filled with contentment and joy. No more shame. No more guilt. No more rejection. All because of Jesus, and His wonderful mercy on our souls.

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade." 1 Peter 1:3-4