I am Willing, Be Clean
Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. ‘I am willing,’ he said. ‘Be clean!’ (Matthew 8:3)
Matt. 8:1-3; Psalm 51:1-10; Isa. 59:2; II Cor. 7:1; II Tim. 2:21
What Is God Saying?
If we could transport ourselves back to the time and situation described in this portion of Matthew's Gospel, we would come to view it as one of the most dramatic scenes in the Bible. Here, a leper is encountering the compassionate Christ. No one else would touch him. Yet he came to the great Healing One with confidence. He knew if he went to an orthodox scribe or a rabbi, they would repel him, even stone him. See how he makes his request: If You will, You can make me clean. I am tired of saying 'Unclean, unclean' everywhere I go. I want to be clean. You can do it; You will. It is not a question of whether or not you can.
If you put yourself in the leper’s place, you could not imagine anything more astonishing than that Jesus should ‘put forth his hand and touch him.’ The incident underscores the painful ostracism of leprosy and the amazing love of God. That's how it is with Jesus Christ: the leper is not a loathsome spectacle or a menace to the community. He is a human being in need of help. So, we are encouraged to see how this applies to us and how and why we should make it our prayer.
How Does This Apply To Us?
Sin is spiritual leprosy. It affects a person in similar ways. Leprosy was the most dreaded disease of ancient times. And people who say sin can't be all that bad have swallowed the Devil's lie. ‘The wages of sin is death,’ and as with leprosy, that death comes by inches. Like leprosy, it separates us from others, from our true selves, and, of course, from God. That is the ultimate price of sin (Isa. 59:2).
‘All have sinned.’ David's repentance uses the word ‘clean’ many times. God wants our hearts to be clean. His intent for all creation is cleanness, and his will for us is cleanness. Before we ask for other blessings, we must pray as David did: ‘Wash me and cleanse me from my sin!’ (Psalm 51).
Pray With Me
O God, what You give is like falling rain, air that moves in unladen with dust, the tumbling expanse of the sea, stars that sparkle on a clear night, forever singing as they shine, 'The Hand that made us is divine.’ Help me to know this day that Your will for me is cleanness. By the invincible strength of Your will, I shall be clean. I rejoice that, by Your will, I may know freedom like the leper who walked away from that fatal disease in Your strength and healing grace.
O God, as You command it, so give it, that in the freedom of a life renewed and cleansed in obedience, my walk with You may be filled with joy and my work for You be true.
In Your own mighty and ever-blessed name. Amen.
Moving On in the Life of Prayer
God wants and is willing to make us whole and clean. Every penitent sinner may hear: I will. Be clean. We must recognize our needs and place ourselves under His love, mercy, and truth. God shows us our needs and provides the solution. I will. Be clean.
