"I Am Willing."

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 about two truths of prayer. First, we are to pray with faith in the Lord’s power to answer our prayer. Second, we must pray with submission to the Lord’s answer.
    This is how the leprous man approached Jesus. Notice the man is identified by his disease. The disease is so hideous it becomes the main reference of his personhood. He is no longer husband, father, brother, neighbor or friend. 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 commit my life to you.” Instead, faithfully and submissively he goes to Jesus with, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.” 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 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 God’s 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. The man must obey the laws of purification and cleansing for healed skin (Leviticus 14:1-32). When the man goes before the priest, the priest will know God has healed. In response, the man and the community of believers will praise and worship God. God is glorified.
    This, too, is God’s will on earth. Healing the leper and then directing him to the priest, Jesus is revealing the purpose and fulfillment of God’s will through his law and grace to heal his people of sin’s deadly sickness.
    Do you pray in faith, submissive to God’s will? 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. In Jesus’ name. Amen