Jesus, The Stain Remover

January 12, 2026

MARK 1:40 NKJV – (40) Now a leper came to Him, imploring Him, kneeling down to Him and saying to Him, “If You are willing, You can make me clean.”

What is a stain according to the Bible? When the soul sins, it adheres to these things in a way that is contrary to the light of reason and divine law. As painful or as inconvenient as the physical malady may have been, the social stigma was worse. Judaism lists any number of ways people could be "unclean," but most of those had an expiration date. Usually, cleanliness was available that evening after bathing, although longer periods are stipulated for childbirth.

Someone suffering from a skin condition identified as leprosy was unclean until the condition was healed. Those who were unclean were unqualified from worshiping with others, including going to the temple. If the condition was incurable, their unclean state was permanent. 

News of Jesus' healing power has reached this man who lived outside the cities. He responds with humility and faith, kneeling before Jesus and acknowledging the only thing standing between him and healing is Jesus' will. The man is not only asking for relief from his skin condition, but to be made clean. This would certainly include being physically healed but also living and worshiping with others. Neither can we undo the stain of our sin. Will He do it? He already did. Now obey Him.

SCRIPTURE READING

PSALM 51:7

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK

He is the ultimate stain remover. Ironically, it's his blood that washes away our sin.