I Am Willing!
In Mark 1:40-41, a story is told of a man with leprosy who came to Jesus, stooped to his knees, and begged Jesus, "If you are willing, you can make me clean."
Jesus was deeply moved. He saw the results of sin on this man, so Jesus reached out His hand and touched the man.
Jesus then said, "I am willing. Be clean!"
Just by virtue of the fact that the man asked if Jesus was willing indicates that the man was already willing to be healed.
The man was willing.
Jesus was willing.
So the man was healed on Jesus' command: "Be clean!"
Do you want that?
In Isaiah 30:15 it says this: "For thus the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel, has said, "In repentance and rest you will be saved, In quietness and trust is your strength." But you were not willing."
What does it mean to be willing? (Repentance? Rest? Quietness? Trust?)
Are you willing? Willing to repent? Willing to rest? Willing to be quieted? Willing to trust?
Jesus is willing, but this story is telling us that He needs us to be willing, too!
How does it make you feel to know that your God, Savior, and Healer is deeply moved with compassion toward you when you come to Him asking Him if He would make you clean...body, mind, and spirit?
It takes trust to come to Someone with that kind of request.
It takes an acknowledgement of Someone who is that source of healing, rest, and quietness.
Do you want to be clean? Do you want to be healed of your hurt, pain, or baggage?
Why live one more day with it, when you can be rid of it right now?
Are you willing?
Jesus is!
"Be clean!"
