Skip to main content

Jesus is what God had to say

                “If you are willing, you can make me clean” (Mark 1:40).
                Leprosy was a terrible disease.  Not only did it disfigure and tear up one’s body, it also tore up everything the person held dear.  Lepers had to leave their homes, families, jobs and even their towns.  They had to shout “unclean” so that they did not come into contact with healthy people.  It was such a lonely existence that some referred to lepers as “the living dead” because they had lost everything that brought meaning to their lives.
                It is notable, then, that this man approaches Jesus.  Maybe he thought that he had nothing left to lose, or maybe his faith was so strong that he could not stay away.  Either way, he took a huge risk just talking to Jesus.  However, his words reveal the next big risk. 
                Seemingly, he had no doubt that Jesus could heal him.  What he was not so certain about was whether Jesus would do it.  “If you are willing…”.   Is that not where a lot of us stumble?  We read about how powerful God is and we think, “He can do anything” and yet we wonder, “Will he help me?”
                Maybe we know ourselves too well.  We can list all kinds of reasons that we must be beyond God’s grace and mercy.   Maybe we assume that those nice Biblical stories make good teaching material, but we are just not sure whether those promises really apply to us. 
                If you have ever wondered whether you have gone too far away from God for him to hear or help you, then please pay attention to Jesus’ response:  “I am willing… Be clean!” (Mark 1:41)
                God is willing to listen.  He is willing to help.  He is willing to let you start over.  He is willing to clean up the mess.  In fact, not only is he willing, he loves us so much that he has already taken care of our biggest issues through Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection (John 3:16-17).  Even before we knew that we needed help, he provided the answer (Romans 5:8).
                If you ever wonder how God thinks, what he is like, or how he would react, look at Jesus and remember these words, “I am willing”.
                Jesus is what God had to say!

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Don’t Be a Tourist

                  From the moment that God told Abraham to leave his home and follow him (Genesis 12:1-3), God’s people have understood that they are on a journey.                 That being true, the essential question becomes, “How are you making that journey?”   T here are two options: You can be a tourist or you can be a pilgrim.                   Tourists leave their real life behind for a little while so that they can visit another place.   Generally, they travel in groups and do not mix much with the local people.   They hit the highlights of various regions, but they do not really experience what it is like to live in that part of t...
Post a Comment
Read more

Darkness to Light (Colossians 1:9-14)

 Our transition from lost to found is a gift of God. It is because of God’s grace and Jesus’ sacrifice.  However, our growth in that new life is at least partially our responsibility. So, what needs evaluation?  Where should this growth begin? What does it look like to walk in the light? Colossians 1 highlights three starting spots.  https://youtu.be/1nWWWj4awh8  
Post a Comment
Read more

New Article: Thanksgiving in Real Time

                    Thanksgiving weekend means that many of us will spend time together with family and friends, eat a lot of food and think about what we are thankful for in our lives.   Unfortunately, after that, most will go back to their normal routines and leave thankfulness behind.                   What would happen if thanksgiving were part of our everyday life, rather than something we focused on a few times per year?   Where would we even start?                 According to Philippians 1:18-26, the apostle Paul remained joyful and thankful, even while imprisoned for his faith, by holding on to three important practic...
Post a Comment
Read more