Perfectly Spoken To The Leper

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

Matthew 8:3, NIV

We often use the word willing when talking about our own commitment to Christ: Lord, I am willing to follow You. I am willing to obey and serve You however You lead.

In Matthew 8:2, it was the leper who asked Jesus about His willingness. “Lord,” said the man humbly, “if You are willing, You can make me clean.”

Reaching out His hand, Jesus touched the man’s leprous skin and spoke the five greatest words the man had ever heard: “I am willing. Be clean!” Instantly the man was cured.

The Lord may not answer our every prayer in the affirmative, for He alone knows what’s best for us. But because of His marvelous grace, He is inclined toward blessing us. He is willing to love us, willing to save us, willing to bless us with goodness and mercy all our days. He is willing to forgive our sins, willing to guide our lives, willing to use our efforts, and willing to enrich our homes.

He is not a stingy God; He is willing.

They who by faith apply themselves to Christ for mercy and grace, may be sure that he is willing, freely willing, to give them the mercy and grace they come to him for.

MATTHEW HENRY