Mark 1:40-42 “A man with leprosy came to him and begged him on his knees, "If you are willing, you can make me clean." 41 Filled with compassion, Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. "I am willing," he said. "Be clean!" 42 Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cured.”
This passage from Mark chapter one is such an image of the heart of God. Jesus is ministering from town to town in the midst of a culture that rejected the afflicted members of the community. In the name of disease control an environment where many of the most hurting were rejected was created within Israel. And yet this leper somehow sees within the life and ministry of Jesus something that says to Him “you are safe here,” you will find compassion here.”
In the time of Christ if a leper was seen on the streets he would be driven away. And yet Jesus not only allows him to stay in the presence of the people, His heart is moved with compassion by the sight of the man. Jesus does not turn His head away and look elsewhere to avoid the painful cries of this desperate man. Instead Jesus reaches out and touches the man. I wonder how long it had been since he felt a compassionate touch. Everyone would have been afraid of him because of their fears of contamination and yet Jesus reaches out with the warmth of divine love and touches this man in a way that he had never been touched before.
The man came with a heart of faith. He had confidence in Jesus’ ability to heal him but he was uncertain of Christ’s willingness to heal him. This is the fruit of his wounded conscience. His sense of guilt and shame, his feelings of rejection and lack of personal value because of his condition almost certainly poisoned his understanding of the love of God. This is a picture of so many people. So many believers are confident of God’s power but do not live in the knowledge that God delights in them. They see their imperfections as a convincing proof that they are not worthy to be loved or to receive from God.
This passage introduces us to a different view of God. The leper has done nothing to deserve his healing except turn to Jesus in faith. “I know that you CAN, but are you willing?” The life of Jesus was intended to reveal the will of God to every generation for all times! The answer of Christ to this broken man is simple, “I am willing… be clean!” This is the word of the Lord to the leper and this is the word of the Lord to you and I today. God is willing to heal! God is willing to forgive. God is willing to provide. Only believe! Place your trust in a love that is deeper than your sins are powerful! Place your confidence in a forgiveness so all encompassing that all who turn towards the cross in repentance will find a compassionate hand reaching out into their hearts to answer the cry lifted up in faith! It’s time to believe!
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