Lord, Heal Me.

Suddenly, a man with leprosy approached him and knelt before him. Lord, the man said, if you are willing, you can heal me and make me clean. Matthew 8:2 (NLT)


Nowadays, leprosy is all but eliminated. But back in the time when Jesus was walking here on earth, the affliction of leprosy was basically a death sentence.

People who contracted the disease were ostracized. They werent even allowed to walk on the same side of the street, and they would have to signify to others that they were, in fact, infected. They would shout out while walking, Unclean! Unclean! to notify others to stay away. Usually 50-foot containment areas were honored as they made there way by other people who were not infected.

The last thing that aPublish Postny sane person would do is to come into contact with a leper.

So what did Jesus do when this leper came to him and petitioned him to heal him, if He was willing?

Jesus reached out and touched him. I am willing, he said. Be healed! And instantly the leprosy disappeared. Matthew 8:3 (NLT)

You see, faith in Jesus ability to heal him wasnt a problem for this sick man. He had plenty of faith in Gods ability. The amazing thing to me, is this man wanted it, but knew it was possible only if was Jesus will.

That is the same kind of faith and willingness to have Gods will done that we see Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego having when they were threatened to be burned to death for not bowing down to a false god.

If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty. But even if he doesnt, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up. Daniel 3:17-18 (NLT)

Q: Can we say today, Lord, I want Your will done in my life, regardless of what it will cost me?

Thats a big question each of us face every day. It doesnt mean that we face being thrown into a burning fire, but it could mean that we are facing a disease that is threatening our life. And we will face the same question in our mind; Do I want Gods will done in my life, or my own?

Maybe we wont face a physical ailment such as cancer, but we will need to know that we all have a fatal disease nonetheless. It is called sin. Each one of us is a carrier for life, and each of us will suffer its debilitating effects.

Q: Is it hopeless for us, just as it was for the leper of Jesus day?

A:No, we simply must do the same thing that this leper did, reach out to the Lord and say, Jesus, if You are willing, You can reach out and make me clean.

And when you do, Jesus will respond in the same way with, I am willing.
The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. John 10:10 (NKJV)

It is Jesus desire that we each have life more abundantly, both here on earth, and eternally. And it is His desire for us to be delivered from the bondage of sin; healed spiritually. We just need to let Him touch our life for this healing to be done.

When we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we are made clean as we are washed with the Word of God, and our sin is forgiven.

I want to encourage you today to seek a relationship with Jesus. Its not a man-made religion or a set of rules and regulations; its an interactive evolving personal relationship between the Lord and you.


STUDY QUESTION: What was the result of the man who was touched by Jesus in Matthew 8:3?

PERSONAL INVENTORY: Are you allowing the healing of Jesus touch to impact your life, and the lives of those around you?

APPLICATION: Seek to speak to Jesus daily through prayer. Whether it be out loud or within the confines of your thoughts. Spend time each day reading the Word, acknowledging Him, confessing those things youve failed in, thanking Him, and submitting your request to Him.