Then Jesus put out His hand and touched him, saying, I am willing; be cleansed. Immediately his leprosy was cleansed.
Matthew 8:3
Coming down the mountain, after the great teaching on the mount, great multitudes follow Jesus. A leper meets Him, daring to come, falling at His feet, and worshiping Him.
In the ancient world, leprosy was a terrible disease and the Jewish law and customs had very stringent rules against lepers. Lepers were considered to be under the special wrath of God. In the middle ages, if a man became a leper, the priest donned his stole and took his crucifix, and brought the man into the church, and read the burial service over him. For all human purposes, the man was dead (Barclay). In the face of such challenges, this leper falls at Jesus feet out of desperation and in worship.
The leper knew how terrible his situation was.
But despite his desperate condition, he not only begged Jesus but also worshipped Him. The leper rendered to Jesus divine homage, confident that He could make him more than just healthy. Jesus could make him clean. The leper believed in the power of Jesus to heal him. All that was necessary was for Jesus to be willing.
Jesus, having the ability to heal the man with just His word or even a thought, made the choice to touch this untouchable man to heal him. Mark 1:41 reveals that Jesus, upon looking on the man, felt compassion. His assurance, “I am willing,” directly answered the man’s question. His touch offered the much-needed comfort and healing.
Wondering where we can find comfort in troubled times?
Our God is compassionate and willing to heal. Do we come to Him, like the leper did, in desperation and humility, worshipping Him? Are we willing to come to Him with our needs, in humble worship, trusting in His compassion and willingness, confident that we ‘will rise’?
Prayer
Lord, help me come to you with my needs, trusting in your compassion and willingness to meet my desperate needs.
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