Mark 1:40-42

Mark 1:40-42  A man with leprosy came to him and begged him on his knees, “If you are willing, you can make me clean.”  Filled with compassion, Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!”  Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cured.   

In our last study, we saw Jesus desiring to go to other places so He could "preach there also."  There were needs where he was, and his disciples said, "Everyone is looking for you," but He was compelled to go forward to carry his message to others because he said, "That is why I have come."  Jesus was continually focussed upon his purpose to do the will of God and to reveal the Father's heart to his people.  After stating his plan, Jesus travels throughout Galilee where He preaches in synagogues and performs many miracles.  In today's passage, a leper comes to him with a somewhat strangely worded request.  The afflicted man does not say, "Please heal me, Lord," or any of the petitions for help we might normally expect.  He does not offer a timid hope for healing.  He does not come with a lengthy request, trying to prove the merits of his need.  Instead he appeals to the nature of Christ.  He has already decided this man is a healer and a man of compassion. The leper has decided, if He wills, I will be cleansed from this wretched disease.  This man came in faith.  This outcast in society boldly believes his healing is assured if Jesus chooses to take action in his behalf.  Therefore, he comes into the presence of Jesus, breaking all the rules for lepers, gets down on his knees, crying out by faith, "If you are willing, you can makes me clean."  Jesus is ready for this man of faith.  So He does not hesitate; He does not instruct; He simply meets him where He is and answers his call.  This Bible description brings tears to our eyes as we look at this scene, thinking of how it must have played out those many years ago: Filled with compassion, Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!”  Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cured.

We do well to remember who Jesus is.  We do well to remember his words, his deeds, his purpose for coming to Earth.  God's heart has always been toward the needy.  We read in Psalms 12:5: “Because of the oppression of the weak and the groaning of the needy, I will now arise,” says the LORD.  Many times we have comforted a hurting soul with Jesus' words: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”  (Matthew 11:28-30)  Jesus was constantly true to his nature.  When his disciples told him of John the Baptist's violent death, Jesus withdrew by boat to a solitary place, probably to pray and to meditate; but when the crowds heard of this, they followed him on foot.  Jesus would have had every right to ask them to wait a while, to give him some time to himself.  Instead we see Jesus react as He does in every scene where there are hurting people.  When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick.  (Matthew 14:14)  When Mark gives his account of this event, he adds a metaphor that speaks to our hearts and again describes Jesus' mission on Earth: When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd.  So he began teaching them many things.  (Mark 6:34)  Here we see the Shepherd of the sheep not only healing the sick but teaching them the words of the Father, sharing the message of light and love.  Immediately after this when evening comes and the people are hungry, the disciples suggest they send the people home; but mindful of their needs, Jesus performs the miracle of feeding thousands of people with five loaves and two fish.  When we look at the life of Jesus as He touched people's lives in various ways, He let the world know God is love.  He cares about his people.  The LORD is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion.  (Psalm 116:5)  Jesus said, "Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father."  He came to reveal God's salvation plan--a grace gift beyond our human comprehension.  He was the Light that revealed the path to eternal life through his death and resurrection from the grave through the power of the Holy Spirit.

As we study the gospel of Mark, we see a God of compassion revealed through his Son.  So often we must ask ourselves how we reveal this love and compassion to others.  When we read the epistles we see many verses that compel us to allow the Holy Spirit to direct us to show the tender mercies of the Lord and to reflect the loving kindness of our Savior.  Paul told the church at Colosse, Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.  Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.  For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.  After talking to them about putting to death their earthly nature, he goes on to say, Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.  Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.  And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.  (Colossians 3:1-3 & 12-14)  These are memory verses, verses to tack on the wall, tape to the bathroom mirror.  We need to wear compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.  As each of us thinks upon these verses, we must ask ourselves what we are wearing.  We pray your hearts will be warmed by the Holy Spirit.  We pray we will all have the heart and the faith of that leper.  If we have diseases, the Lord is near.  He can heal us if He is willing, and we know He is willing.  Cry out to him today.  "Lord heal my lethargy, my willingness to be distracted."  "Lord forgive me for ignoring you."  "Lord help me to see the oppressed and the needy."  "Forgive me for my selfishness."  Each of us has a prayer, a cry to Jesus.  He stands beside us, saying, "I am willing."