MARK 1:40-42 NKJV
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.” Then Jesus, moved with compassion, stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, “I am willing; be cleansed.” As soon as He had spoken, immediately the leprosy left him, and he was cleansed.
REFERENCES: Genesis 1:26-27
Throughout scripture we see God’s compassion on display. In the original Greek, the word compassion is Splagchnizomai, which literally means ‘to be moved so deeply by something that you feel it in the pit of your stomach’. From Peter’s first encounter with Jesus, to Jesus healing the leper, we see Jesus moved with compassion. The leper, due to the state of his condition, was not able to stand in the presence of Jesus. Peter, due to his betrayal of Jesus, felt unworthy to be accepted by Jesus’ love. Yet, Jesus embraced both the leper and Peter with open arms, allowing their healing to take place. Regardless of our shortcomings, weaknesses, or failures, the compassion of Christ meets us where we are.
You can’t catapult yourself outside the compassion of Jesus.
The story of Peter shows how a faithless fisherman became a fisher of men. At his greatest moment of weakness, Peter denies Jesus three times, but Jesus redeems Peter, asking him three times "Do you love me?" Peter responds three times, ‘Yes!’, each time erasing his past mistakes. Just like Peter, we too can experience redemption through the compassion of Christ.
Like the leper we can find ourselves asking the question, “Is God willing to heal me”? Surely after many mistakes and shortcomings we can feel distant from God, but he is a good God that loves us regardless of where we find ourselves.
God’s compassion is beyond anything we can think or imagine. In reading the Bible we can understand the essence of it, but miss the depth of it. God’s love is deeper and wider than the oceans. The Bible may contain rules, but it’s not a rule book, it’s a love story. No matter how many mistakes we’ve made, his love for us never changes. Remember there is hope because there is a God who is good and loves you. All we have to do is surrender. Surrendering is the holiest thing you can do. Allow his compassion to embrace you.
As you pray, open your heart. God’s compassion is available. Speak out the things you feel ashamed of in your life, and allow healing to begin.
Are you interested in leading a crew? Click here to fill out an application to become a crew leader in SZN 2!
VOUS High Nite is a night for Junior High and High School Students to meet friends, worship and encounter God. It will be taking place Wednesday, April 2nd at both VOUS SoMi and VOUS Miami Gardens at 7PM.
To RSVP, click here.
There will also be a VOUS High Nite Parent Hangout. This will be an opportunity to learn more about VOUS High, have some dinner and get to know other parents in our community.
To RSVP for the Parent’s Hang, click here.
Where: VOUS Miami Gardens & VOUS SoMi
When: Saturday, April 2nd
Address:
VOUS Miami Gardens - 17801 NW 2nd Ave
Miami, FL 33169
VOUS SoMi - 6767 Sunset Dr, Miami, FL 33143
Doors Open at 7PM.
Are you looking for a place to grow in leadership, community, and culture? Join us at VOUS College Preview Day on April 3rd to learn more about program offerings, connect with students, and ignite your journey to help fulfill the Great Commission!
RSVP now at vouscollege.com/preview
Where: VOUS Miami Gardens
When: Thursday, April 3rd
Address: 17801 NW 2nd Ave
Miami, FL 33169
The Easter Egg Drop is a family fun-filled day, including food, games, entertainment, and the crowd favorite: a helicopter egg drop with eggs stuffed with goodies and prizes!
For more information on the Easter Egg Drop, click here
If you are interested in serving, click here
Where: Charles Hadley Park
When: Saturday, April 19th
Address: 1350 NW 50th St
Miami, FL 33142
Join us for Easter at VOUS as we celebrate the power of the cross. This is a weekend for the whole family! Pick a service time and invite a friend — there's room for you.
Join us on the road to VOUSCon as we embark on a 40-day relay run through the state of Florida. From Jacksonville to Miami, runners from every region are invited to participate in carrying the good news. Our finish line? VOUSCon 2025. Led by a core VOUS team, we’ll link arms with partner churches along the way, spotlighting the body of Christ and championing the local church through weekly outreach initiatives.
Starting Line: Sunday, May 11
Finish Line: Thursday, June 19
VOUS SoMi
8:45AM / 10:30AM / 12:30PM / 6PM
VOUS City
10:30AM / 12:30PM / 6PM
VOUS Miami Gardens
10:30AM / 12:30PM
VOUS DD
10:30AM / 12:30PM
Church Online
10AM / 12:00 PM / 5PM Español
Growth Track
After every service or join online at vouschurch.com/growthtrack