“If you want to, you can make me clean.” – Mark 1:40 (Phillips)
In Mark’s gospel, we find a man – a leper – making a very applicable statement for us today. The leper was saying to Jesus what most of the Church is thinking the majority of the time. We look around at the world and our lives and wonder why God isn’t doing something for us. Most Christians are wondering how and why they are in the mess they are in. We wonder why our families are being ruined and why ministries are failing. We are consumed by our hectic schedules and technology.
This leper was being consumed (literally) by his circumstances. He wanted his entire life to change, and if you were in his shoes, so would you. He knew there was an answer to his dilemma; he just wasn’t certain it was Jesus. The leper knew that Jesus had the ability to heal him and change his life forever. He just wasn’t sure Jesus would want to.
Before we get too upset with the leper, let’s look at ourselves. This man had a legitimate question, “Do you want to? I know you can, but do you want to?” If we are so certain that Jesus wants to make our broken lives whole, why don’t we let Him? Mere words from the lips of Jesus changed this man’s heart and made him whole.
And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth his hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, I will; be thou clean. And as soon as he had spoken, immediately the leprosy departed from him, and he was cleansed. – Mark 1:41-42
Upon receiving the touch of our Master’s hand and hearing that Jesus did want to effect a change in his circumstances, the leper became instantly clean. He was changed. His life would never be the same because he heard from Jesus.
In the middle of our struggles, do we know with full certainty the provisions of God? It is not foolish to ask God about His will in a matter – it is foolish to fight the battles of life on our own strength, wisdom, and abilities. Don’t be ashamed that you have forgotten from where you get your strength. Rejoice that the voice of the Holy Spirit is always present to say, “I will: be made whole!”
It is absolutely amazing how we can get so disoriented by the storms of life. The devil brings a little wind our way and we immediately forget whose child we are. We forget that the answer to every problem in life lives inside of us. We have a spiritual storehouse on the inside of us which links us to the most powerful force in the universe – faith in the Word of God. If we don’t know if God wants to get involved in our circumstances, we need to ask. This leper asked and immediately received his answer. Jesus Himself told us that we should seek, knock, and ask.
Don’t let the root of pride keep you from returning to the source of your strength when life is draining you. It doesn’t matter what you’ve done, who you’ve done it to, how many times you did it, or where you were when you did it. Jesus is bigger than all that. He is bigger than your problem that is bigger than you. He is bigger than the devil who laid the trap you have fallen into. There is no weapon of the enemy which can destroy you when your fortress is the Almighty God. Ask Him if He wants to get involved in your mess. You will be pleasantly surprised at His response.
We must remember that God is not like us. He does not throw people away because they have a few flaws in them. He doesn’t consider us disposable. He counts us, everything about us, as precious. If God sees you as precious, then you are. End of discussion.
Don’t listen to those who would tell you that no one or nothing can help you. Job had friends like that, and with those friends you have no need for enemies. Remember, Jesus counted you wonderful enough that He sacrificed Himself for you. Let’s not let all the provisions which Christ brought to humanity go to waste. Trust Him with all your heart and let Him show you the way out of the circumstances you are in. After a long walk together, Jesus will hug you and throw a reception party for you. No matter what the circumstances dictate, Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He is still saying, “I will; be made whole!”
