Luke 5:12 In one of the villages, Jesus met a man with an advanced case of leprosy. When the man saw Jesus, he bowed with his face to the ground, begging to be healed. “Lord,” he said, “if you are willing, you can heal me and make me clean.”
13 Jesus reached out and touched him. “I am willing,” he said.“Be healed!” And instantly the leprosy disappeared
This is one of my favorite stories in all of scripture. Every time I read it my heart aches with recognition.
Will you indulge me for a moment and imagine this leper? The Bible says he begged Jesus, with his face to the ground. Please don't overlook the humanity in this story. This man was not only slowly dying of a horrible disease, he was doing it in isolation. He wasn't allowed to participate in holidays, family gatherings, and he wasn't touched, ever.
He begged Jesus. I imagine his anguish could be heard in his voice. I know that Jesus' heart ached with this mans despair. And Jesus, the Lord of all the earth, the perfect snow white lamb touched this aching, begging, desperate man.
Can you imagine!? Can you fathom what that single touch must have felt like? I can, not physically of course but I've been there. There was a time in my life when my walls were so high and so thick that no one could touch me and I was in complete and utter despair, slowly dying. I cried out and He was there, in the blink of an eye.
Jesus touched the untouchable. If you spend some time in the Word you will find that Jesus most often chose to touch those He healed. He clearly demonstrates His capability to heal without touch, there's no doubt He could, but He rarely did. I love that about my Savior!
Then He spoke simple, beautiful words "I am willing". How beautiful is that? He is willing...you can be healed. Praise God, praise God!
"Ah, Sovereign LORD you made the heavens and the earth with your mighty power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you." - Jeremiah 32:17
No comments:
Post a Comment