September 5 God’s Will

Luke 5:12-14 While Jesus was in one of the towns, a man came along who was covered with leprosy. When he saw Jesus, he fell with his face to the ground and begged him, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.” 13 Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” And immediately the leprosy left him. 14 Then Jesus ordered him, “Don't tell anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them.”
 
JESUS taught us to pray, “Your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.” (Matthew 6:10) More than words, this teaching is a prayer principle. We are to pray, Jesus teaches, with faith in the Lord’s power to answer our prayer, and submission to the Lord’s answer as his will, not ours.
    This is how the leper approached Jesus. Notice the man is identified by his disease. The disease is so hideous it becomes the main reference of his personhood. He has no hope but to hope in the Lord. The greatest longing of his life is to be healed. Yet, he does not demand the Lord’s mercy with such self-centered words as, “Lord, heal me or I won’t believe in you. Heal me, and I’ll live for you.” Instead, faithfully and submissively he goes to Jesus with, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.” Submissively and faithfully, he trusts the Lord will heal him if it is the Lord’s will to do so.
    Then Jesus’ acts into God’s will for the man. In the full creative power of the One who spoke the universe into existence, the Living Word decrees, “Be clean!” Reverently the man has submitted to the Lord’s will. Mercifully the Lord speaks his healing will into the man. God’s will is done on earth as it is in Heaven.
    Then Jesus speaks of his will in another way. He commands the man, “Don't tell anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them.”  God’s will for the healing is for the man to be a testimony of God’s mercy. When the man goes before the priest, the priest will know God has healed. The laws of purification and cleansing for healed skin (Leviticus 14:1-32) are to be followed. And one obeying those laws, the man and the community of believers will offer praise and worship to God. God is glorified.
    In this healing, Jesus fulfilled one purpose of his coming. It is recorded in Matthew 5:17 Don't suppose that I came to do away with the Law and the Prophets. I did not come to do away with them, but to give them their full meaning. Healing the leper and then directing him to the priest, Jesus is demonstrating the purpose and fulfillment of God’s will on earth. The healing is much more than healing of leprosy; it is a demonstration of God’s mercy, will and power to heal his people of sin’s deadly sickness.
    The man’s request to Jesus is a righteous prayer model for us all. Have faith. Believe in God’s power. Trust his merciful will for your life. Submit to his answer. Live as the Lord commands.
 
Prayer: If it is your will, Lord, heal me of my sickness and my sin. In Jesus’ name. Amen.