Daily Bread

In Jesus’ time, leprosy was more than a disease; it was a life of total isolation. Yet a man with leprosy came to Jesus boldly, bracing himself for peoples’ daunts or even stoning. He had faith that Jesus could heal him and make him clean. His faith and desperation overcame fear. He had no doubt about Jesus’ power to make him clean (“you can”). He only questioned his willingness (“If you are willing”). He acknowledged Jesus’ sovereignty. Faith in Jesus means that we believe in his power and trust his sovereignty and wisdom in how he chooses to work. It also means that we simply come to Jesus despite our guilt or shame.
According to the Law, anyone who touched a leper became unclean. But out of compassion and love Jesus touched the man and consoled his soul, saying, “I am willing.” Jesus first restored his human dignity and worth. Before Jesus there is no one too unclean, broken, or sinful. Jesus welcomes and touches anyone who comes to him humbly. Jesus healed the man at once and instructed him to show himself to the priest to fulfill the legal requirement and rejoin the community. Sin makes us unclean; it isolates us from God and others. But Jesus makes us clean and restores us to fellowship in his church community.