What does "I am willing" reveal about Jesus' willingness to heal and forgive? The Setting: A Desperate Plea for Cleansing A man “covered with leprosy” (Luke 5:12) breaks through the crowd, falls facedown, and says, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean” (Matthew 8:2). Leprosy means social isolation, ceremonial uncleanness, and slow physical decay. No one touches a leper—except Jesus. The Words: “I Am Willing” “Jesus reached out His hand and touched the man. ‘I am willing,’ He said. ‘Be clean!’ And immediately his leprosy was cleansed” (Matthew 8:3). Mark adds why: “Moved with compassion, Jesus reached out His hand” (Mark 1:41). Luke confirms the instant result: “And immediately the leprosy left him” (Luke 5:13). What “I Am Willing” Reveals About Jesus • Compassion drives Him. He feels the misery of sin and sickness and acts. • Readiness marks Him. The leper’s request meets no hesitation, only an immediate yes. • Personal contact matters. He touches the untouchable, absorbing shame while giving purity. • Power accompanies willingness. A single command obliterates an incurable disease. • Consistency shines. His willingness here mirrors the whole mission “to seek and to save what was lost” (Luke 19:10). Healing and Forgiveness—Two Sides of One Mercy • Physical healing points to a deeper cure. Leprosy pictures sin’s defilement; cleansing points to forgiveness. • Jesus links the two in the paralytic’s story: “Take courage, son; your sins are forgiven… Get up, pick up your mat, and go home” (Matthew 9:2, 6). • Isaiah saw this union long before: “By His stripes we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5), covering body and soul. Further Proof of His Willingness to Forgive • Mark 2:17—He came for sinners, not the self-righteous. • John 8:11—“Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.” • Luke 23:34—Even from the cross: “Father, forgive them.” • 1 John 1:9—Ongoing promise: confession meets faithful, just forgiveness. Living in the Light of His Willing Heart • Approach Him confidently; He still says, “I am willing.” • Expect both cleansing and transformation; He heals what sin has broken. • Extend the same mercy to others; His touch through us invites the untouchable into grace. |
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