Mark 1:40-45, The Message - A leper came to him, begging on his knees, “If you want to, you can cleanse me.”
Deeply moved, Jesus put out his hand, touched him, and
said, “I want to. Be clean.” Then and there the leprosy was gone, his skin
smooth and healthy. Jesus dismissed him with strict orders: “Say nothing to
anyone. Take the offering for cleansing that Moses prescribed and present
yourself to the priest. This will validate your healing to the people.” But as
soon as the man was out of earshot, he told everyone he met what had happened,
spreading the news all over town. So Jesus kept to out-of-the-way places, no
longer able to move freely in and out of the city. But people found him, and
came from all over.
As a pastor, I have
on a few occasions had people who, even though they needed something from me or
to ask a question, have been almost apologetic in asking for my attention. I like to think I’m very approachable (and
many have told me that as well), but nevertheless, the people I referred to
seemed to have the idea that I either don’t have time for them or really they
wonder if I would even want to spare some time for them. It pains me that anyone would ever get such
ideas, but it does give me some insight into this leper approaching Jesus for
help. He is convinced that Jesus can
heal him, yet he is skeptical that Jesus would want to do so. It’s obvious that Jesus is pained by the man’s
reluctance and immediately allays his fear and heals him.
I’m glad that only a
few people that I’m aware of were reluctant to “bother” me for help. But I have had many more conversations with
people who felt like this leper did approaching Jesus. So many struggle with the thought that God
would want to have anything to do them, much less pay them significant
attention. If I’m honest, I’ve had such
thoughts myself at times. Shame, a sense
of unworthiness, and/or doubts about the character of God can all factor into
such reluctance.
The leper had even more
substantial reasons to doubt Jesus would grant his request. The prevailing belief in Jesus’s day was that
if you had leprosy, you were cursed by God. That’s why Jesus sent the man to the priest. It was only a priest that was authorized to
confirm that the leprosy was gone and thus, God’s curse had been removed. So, as a leper, it is completely understandable
that this man would doubt that a prophet/rabbi/Son of God would want to grant
his request. So Jesus is not JUST
healing here; He is also teaching all who were present about the true character
of God. Jesus states plainly that He
wishes to heal the man and immediately commands the affliction to be gone. God’s character is one that seeks to heal,
not condemn. I need to hear that and I’m
guessing I’m not the only one.
I wish there were a
way to instantly remove all the self-imposed obstacles to approaching God with
our needs confidently. I’m not aware of
such a remedy. However, see this leper’s bravery. He had those doubts and/or fears, yet he
addresses Jesus anyway. He’s honest
about his need, but he’s also honest about his doubt. Such bravery and honesty is almost always
required in situation. If we wait until
we’re confident in God’s willingness to hear and respond to us, we may never
ask. If we wait for all doubt/fear to disappear,
we will be waiting forever. Be brave. Be
honest. And do so right now. We will talk about this passage some more tomorrow,
but don’t wait until then to ask God for what you need. Do it today.
Question: What are
you reluctant to ask God for? Why?
Prayer: Lord I know
you are able to _____________ for me.
Sometimes, I struggle with the idea that you are willing. I ask you to _______________ even in the
midst of my doubts. Amen.
Prayer Focus: Pray
for teachers that you know today.
Song: How Can It Be? –
Lauren Daigle
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