Jesus Is Willing
In today’s passage, Jesus was approached by a man who had leper that said to Him, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.” My heart weeps at this request because I’ve been at this place in my life many times in the past.
Here’s the thing… this leprous man had no doubt in his mind that Jesus had the power to make him clean. Yet, he doubted Jesus’ willing to heal him. I’m sure he had heard about and even seen with his own eyes the miracles Jesus did in other people’s lives. Can you see him sitting and watching Jesus heal everybody else, seeing the power of God move and set people free of their issues yet thinking to himself, “But I’m a leper, I’m sure Jesus wouldn’t be willing to heal me because of this dreaded dis-ease”?
Leprosy, during those times, was a dis-ease that affected the skin and caused people to be treated as outcasts. No one wanted to be around them or touch them and they were, by law, required to be separated from society until they were cleansed - i.e. the dis-ease was healed and and their condition was approved by the priest before they entered back into society. So you can see this man’s concern and even is apprehension in requesting Jesus to heal him. He was already taking a big chance just by approaching Jesus.
But I love verse three in which “Jesus put out His hand and touched him” then He said, “I am willing; be cleansed.” Did you get that? Jesus touched a man that the law said should not be touched. Jesus touched an outcast and dis-eased man. He touched a man with issues. And get this… He did it willingly! Not because He was made to, but because He wanted to!
This leprous man represents every person who has ever felt unworthy or ashamed because of their condition or dis-ease regardless of what it is - physical sickness, mental health issues, sin, shame, guilt, condemnation - whatever! Those who have been made to feel unaccepted and unloved because of their past or present situations. Those who society, and even the church, considers outcasts who may know the power of Jesus but reluctantly approach Him unsure if He’s willing to help them.
I have good news… Jesus is willing! Let me repeat that… Jesus is willing! No matter how bad your situation may appear, Jesus is willing to heal you, to deliver you, to help you, to provide for you, to give you that husband you desire and that father for your children, to give you that job you seek, to heal your broken heart, to remove any dis-ease from your life. Your past or present circumstances does not put God at a distance from you. In fact, it draws Him even closer to you because He loves you so much He wants to touch your life and make you well.
Don’t let society dictate to you what you can and cannot be, do and have. All things are possible with God (Matthew 19:26). So boldly approach God and ask what you will. Not only is He able to do it, He is willing to touch your life and make you well!
Journal
- What situation(s) have you been reluctant to take to Jesus?
- Why were you reluctant?
- Sit with this thought today, “Jesus is not just able to heal my life, He is willing to heal and remove any dis-ease from my life.” Let that truth sink in.
- Whatever situation you listed you were reluctant to take to Jesus, take a moment to give it to Him. Boldly ask Him to touch your life and make you well like only He can.
Therefore let us approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us at the proper time. - Hebrews 4:16, HCSB
Comments