The man didn’t ask for pity. Instead, he asked for the power he recognized in Jesus, to be applied to his leprosy: A man with leprosy came to Jesus and begged him on his knees, “If you are willing, you can make me clean.” Moved with pity, Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, and said to him, “I will: be clean.” Immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean. (Mark 1:40-41)

Jesus was constantly looking for faith in the people around him. While this man did not prove to be obedient later, when Jesus had told him not to spread the news, the man clearly displayed faith in Jesus’ God given ability to heal him. The man’s faith opened Jesus’ heart to pity him and then to extend his hand to a dreaded leper. The unnamed man believed that Jesus could heal him, if he would . Sometimes we believe that Jesus cannot help us, when all he is waiting for is for us to display the glimmer of faith that this man showed : “If you are willing.”

I believe that Jesus’ willingness is from his Father God. At Gethsemane Jesus prayed, “Not my will, but what You will.” in the face of his own death. (Mark 14:36).

Being rooted in God’s will, the things that Jesus “wills” are the things that God wills for us. They are the things of the promises in both the Old and New Testaments: The Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. (Joshua 1:9), and Take heart! I have overcome the world. (John 16:33)

In the first century while Jesus lived as one of us, he sought out faith among the people of Israel. Sometimes he seemed discouraged: I have not seen such faith in all of Israel! (Matthew 8:10), but in his last evening with the disciples he assured them that they had a secure place in the very heart of God: The Father Himself loves you because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God. (John 16: 27)

When Jesus was asked, “What must we do to do the works God requires?” He answered,

The work of God is this: To believe in the one He has sent. (John 6:29)

I believe that Jesus is willing to make us clean. He is willing to companion us, and even befriend us. His time on earth was spent seeking those who would open their hearts to him and be changed. It’s never easy, but when we do that, we,too, may ask, and hear him say, I will!

Love in Him,

Prue