I AM WILLING

Passage: Matthew 8:1-4

Key verse: 3a

NIV

Jesus Heals a Man With Leprosy(A)

8 When Jesus came down from the mountainside, large crowds followed him. 2 A man with leprosy[a](B) came and knelt before him(C) and said, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.”

3 Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” Immediately he was cleansed of his leprosy. 4 Then Jesus said to him, “See that you don’t tell anyone.(D) But go, show yourself to the priest(E) and offer the gift Moses commanded,(F) as a testimony to them.”

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Footnotes
  1. Matthew 8:2 The Greek word traditionally translated leprosy was used for various diseases affecting the skin.
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

Jesus Cleanses a Leper

8 When he came down from the mountain, (A)great crowds followed him. 2 (B)And behold, a leper[a] came to him and (C)knelt before him, saying, “Lord, if you will, you can make me clean.” 3 And Jesus[b] stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, “I will; be clean.” And immediately his leprosy was cleansed. 4 And Jesus said to him, (D)“See that you say nothing to anyone, but go, (E)show yourself to the priest and (F)offer the gift that Moses commanded, (G)for a proof to them.”

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Footnotes
  1. Matthew 8:2 Leprosy was a term for several skin diseases; see Leviticus 13
  2. Matthew 8:3 Greek he
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

1. You can make me clean (1-2)

Many came to Jesus believing that he held the answer to their life problems. A man with leprosy, who probably should have been under quarantine, boldly approached Jesus. Jesus came so that we, too, may be bold to approach him in our deepest and most shameful circumstances, things that we want to hide from others.

2. Be clean! (3-4)

Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. He said, 'I am willing.' Even when we feel like no one can accept us due to our sin and shame, Jesus reaches out to us in our vulnerability and embraces us. There is healing in Jesus' tender love. Jesus' love and mercy heals and cleanses us completely from sin and shame and makes us whole.

Prayer: Lord, may we experience your healing and cleansing power as we come to you. May we also be healers that can love and embrace others in your name.

One Word: Healed by love