If You Are Willing

Luke 5:12-13

"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.” Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” And immediately the leprosy left him."

Leprosy affects one's entire body. It's a lot to take in: the tumors and twisted limbs, blindness, nerve damage, one's inability to breathe. It separates one from family and friends, work, and worship. And like a thief, it robs, kills and destroys. 

It is also a metaphor for our sins. So small at first yet altogether destructive, contagious, and numbing. No wonder Jesus loved healing lepers.

Remember the wedding? Poof! Water became wine.  We don't exactly know how it happened; but here, we know . . .

"Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man."

Pure love.

It's almost too much! The leper receives a touch from Messiah's hand and is utterly transformed. The hands at work in Creation. The hands that formed us in our mother's wombs. The hands upon whom we are engraved. Those hands. Stunningly beautiful. 

They reach. 

They touch.  

They transform.

Beloved, do you see yourself in the leper? I do too. We need His touch. Let's approach Him with the same strength, humility and faith the leper embodied. Let's pray together...

Lord, you are beautiful. Thank you for the way you love me.  Thank you for your compassion--for being willing to reach me, touch me and transform me. Like the leper, I confess, "If you are willing, you can make me clean." Please do--forgive me for... {Confess to him}. Jesus, I want to be transformed. Please, Holy Spirit, take away the old and give what is new. Specifically, you know I am struggling with {Tell him your spiritual struggle}; will you transform me? Make me clean, I pray. I want to look and live and breathe like I've been touched by you.  Thank you, Lord. You are altogether wonderful. Amen.