Be Cleansed

And behold, a leper came and worshiped Him, saying, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.” Matthew 8:2 (NKJV)These days, the disease of leprosy has all but been 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 not accepted. They weren’t 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 do this by shouting out, “Unclean! Unclean!” while walking to notify others to stay away. Usually 50' containment areas were honored as they made their way by other people who were not infected. Needless to say, the last thing that any sane person would do is to come into contact with a leper.

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

Then Jesus put out His hand and touched him, saying, “I am willing; be cleansed.” Immediately his leprosy was cleansed. Matthew 8:3 (NKJV)

You see, having faith in Jesus’ ability to heal him wasn’t a problem for this sick man. He had plenty of faith in God’s ability. The amazing thing to me is this man wanted it, but knew he it was only possible if it was Jesus’ will—and it was.

I look at sin as a type of spiritual leprosy, and it has an effect upon us very much physically as well. Each one of us was born into sin, and each of us is in need of healing. But the good news is it can be cured; all we have to do is reach out to the Lord Jesus and say, “Lord if You are willing You can make me clean.” And in the same way Jesus answered the leper He will gladly answer us by saying, “I am willing; be cleansed.”

It is Jesus’ desire for us to have life more abundantly—both here on earth, and eternally (John 10:10), but to do so we must be delivered from the bondage of sin—we must be cleansed and healed spiritually (Rom. 6:4; 2 Pet. 3:9). It is only through His stripes we are healed (Isa. 53:5).

Perhaps today you can honestly say you once asked Jesus into your heart, but somehow you have found yourself back in bondage to sin. God is willing to cleanse you completely today, and to empower you to walk in newness of life. Let’s stop allowing the enemy to rip us off from the victory Christ secured for us upon the cross.

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

PERSONAL INVENTORY: Are you in need of Jesus’ healing touch today?

APPLICATION: Let’s seek the Lord today and ask Him to heal us of any affliction or stronghold from the enemy upon our lives. Let’s choose to be healthy and to live in victory.