Willing not able...
Jesus and the Leper
500 Words: 3 Minute Read
12 While he was in one of the cities, there came a man full of leprosy. And when he saw Jesus, he fell on his face and begged him, “Lord, if you will, you can make me clean.” 13 And Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, “I will; be clean.” And immediately the leprosy left him. 14 And he charged him to tell no one, but “go and show yourself to the priest, and make an offering for your cleansing, as Moses commanded, for a proof to them.” 15 But now even more the report about him went abroad, and great crowds gathered to hear him and to be healed of their infirmities. 16 But he would withdraw to desolate places and pray.
Luke 5:12–16 (ESV)
This story is ridiculous. Lepers in the Jewish world were supposed to stay back 50 feet from those in society. Technically, their presence was uncleanliness to the society, people, and nation of Israel (Reference Leviticus 13-14).
Yet, this leper had the audacity and gall to approach Jesus. He entered the presence of God.
This act ought to have made them all unclean—especially when Jesus touched the man.
Yet, Jesus in his power dominates the uncleanliness and overrides reality with his holiness and power. What should have made Jesus unclean was nullified, and instead, God granted cleansing.
God gave the man cleansing, not just healing. He was told to go and show the priest what was once unclean and unholy before God, was not clean and made right.
Ridiculous. This man had faith and boldness to enter the presence of God with confidence.
Notice, that the leper never doubted the power or ability of Jesus. He never asked if Jesu was able to heal him. He knew the “Lord” was able. He knew he had power.
Rather, he asked if he was willing. He knew that he was able… he begged that he would be willing.
What do we know about the heart of Jesus? Check out Matt 11 and my post on this book by Dane Ortlund…
Jesus is gentle with us. He wants to bear our burdens. He wants to heal. We should not doubt this about his heart. Sometimes we do not understand why things happen (or don’t), but we should know his heart regardless.
His will was to cleanse the man. The will of God is that we all are cleansed. The blood of Jesus has cleansed us. We are cleansed by the work of Christ in our lives. We will be cleansed in the fullness of the Kingdom of God.
May we seek to be bold to enter the presence of Jesus and ask today in our time of need.