How can we trust Jesus' willingness to address our own spiritual "uncleanness"? The Scene in Mark 1:41 “Moved with compassion, Jesus reached out His hand and touched the man. ‘I am willing,’ He said. ‘Be clean!’” (Mark 1:41) What the Moment Reveals about Jesus • Compassion is His default response; He is “moved” before the request is fully finished. • He makes physical contact with the untouchable, proving uncleanness cannot contaminate Him. • His answer is immediate and unequivocal: “I am willing.” No hesitation, bargaining, or delay. Why We Can Trust His Willingness with Our Own Uncleanness • His character is unchanging (Hebrews 13:8). The compassion that touched a leper still beats today. • He fulfilled the Law perfectly, then bore its curse (Galatians 3:13), so no stain we bring can disqualify us. • He already demonstrated the ultimate willingness at the cross: “While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). • He promises continual cleansing: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). • He is our sympathetic High Priest, “able to empathize with our weaknesses” (Hebrews 4:15-16). Approach is invited, not merely allowed. Practical Ways to Lean on His Willingness 1. Bring everything into the light—He already knows (Psalm 139:1-4). 2. Agree with His verdict instead of your feelings; His word “Be clean” carries authority. 3. Replace self-penance with gratitude. The leper’s cleansing was instant; ours is secured the same way. 4. Stay close through Scripture, where His willingness is repeatedly displayed (Luke 7:13; Mark 5:34; John 8:11). 5. Extend the same acceptance to others. Touch lives others avoid, confident His purity overcomes uncleanness (Matthew 5:14-16). Living in Cleansed Freedom Walk like someone Jesus has already reached out to and touched—because He has. Every time uncleanness tries to shout louder than grace, hear His settled answer again: “I am willing.” |
    |