What Will He Say?

This man had nothing left, he was sick, he had a skin condition, and as a result he got kicked out of his home, and had to live outside the city. This man had nothing left, his life seemed pointless, hopeless even, and then he heard Jesus was coming. Jesus had just been at the town before his, and would most likely be passing this way. Immediately a sense of hope filled the man, he could imagine meeting Jesus and being healed, his life would be different, transformed, new and never the same again.

There was no doubt in this man’s mind, Jesus was his last and only hope. So when he saw Jesus, he fell to his knees and he begged Him. “If you are willing, you can make me clean” (Mark 1:40).

Jesus looked at him with compassion, He didn’t judge, He didn’t look at how dirty he was, He didn’t notice the skin condition. He saw the man’s struggle, his pain, his need for something more than anyone else could offer. And in Mark 1:41 Jesus responds with “I am willing”.

The man was healed, and Jesus asked him to not tell anyone. But how could the man keep this life changing experience to himself?! When he saw someone, he couldn’t help but tell him what Jesus had done in his life.

I want to propose that you are like this man, you may not be physically injured, but we all need something more than this world can offer us. And when we approach Jesus, He doesn’t respond with “but look at this huge list of things you have done wrong” No! Jesus looks at you with love, with compassion, and He says “I am willing”

Right now, at this very moment, He is willing.

Jesus knows that we could never deserve His perfect love, His perfect Grace, and the price that He paid. But He loves you.

That is all, He loves you. And because of this He wants to be part of your life, He wants to be involved, but He can’t force that on you, and He won’t ever force that on you. We need to go to Him, and say “If you are willing” and the best part is, that we already know His answer, we already know that he is willing and eager to be involved in your life, to be involved in your journey, no matter how many ups and downs there are, He wants to be with you through the joyful times, and He wants to comfort you through the trials, He wants to be right beside you, reminding you that no matter how hard it is, no matter what the circumstances, together, with Jesus, you can get through it all.

“Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6

Jesus is willing to work in your life, all you need to do is ask Him. Because He IS willing.

Hope Born, Chaplain