Morning By Morning #248

Filled with compassion, Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!”

Mark 1:41

From the pen of Charles Spurgeon:

The darkness of eternity past heard the Almighty’s decree: “Let there be light” and immediately “there was light” (Gen. 1:3). And the Lord Jesus’ words here were equal in majesty to that ancient word of creation power. Redemption, like creation, takes place through the word of power, for Jesus speaks and it is done. Leprosy yielded to no human remedies but fled immediately at the Lord’s words: “I am willing…Be clean!” When He spoke these words, the disease did not show just some hopeful signs or hints of recovery, for nature contributed nothing to the healing. His word alone caused the entire work at once and forever.

A sinner is in a predicament more miserable than a leper. Thus, he should imitate the leper who “came to [Jesus] and begged him on his knees” (Mark 1:40). He should exercise what little faith he has even if it is nothing more than, “If you are willing, you can make me clean” (Mark 1:40). Once a sinner does this, there can be no doubt as to the result of applying his faith, for Jesus spiritually heals all who come, for He said, “Whoever comes to me I will never drive away” (John 6:37).

It is worth noting: “Jesus…touched the man.” Considered unclean by ceremonial law, he broke through the regulations of that law by coming to Jesus. Yet far from condemning him, Jesus broke through the law Himself to meet him. Although it cleansed the man, by touching him Jesus became unclean according to Levitical law. In the same way, “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Cor. 5:21).

Oh, that poor sinners would go to Jesus, believing in the power of His blessed substitutionary sacrifice, and quickly learn the power of His gracious touch! The hand that multiplied the loaves, saved Peter from sinking, upholds afflicted saints, and crowns believers is the same hand that will touch each seeking sinner and, in an instant, will make him clean.

The love of Jesus is the source of salvation. He loves, He looks, He touches us, and—we live!

From the pen of Jim Reimann:

The man with leprosy gives us a beautiful example of an appropriate prayer of supplication. First he recognized the importance of praying according to God’s will by saying,”If you are willing.” If this is how Jesus prayed—“Not my will, but yours be done” (Luke 22:42)—then how much more appropriate is it for us!

Next the leper’s prayer shows us the importance of exercising faith by saying,”You can make me clean.” In a later encounter Jesus told a sick boy’s father, “Everything is possible for him who believes” (Mark 9:23).

Yet a word of caution is due here. This does not mean God heals everyone just because they ask in faith. Remember, it must be according to God’s will, for often the Lord sees a greater purpose in not removing illness. Even the apostle Paul said,”Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take [a thorn in my flesh] away” (2 Cor. 12:8). But he came to understand God’s greater purpose—”to keep me from becoming conceited” (2 Cor. 12:7).