I AM WILLING; BE CLEAN

Passage: Matthew 8:1-4

Key verse: 3

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

In Jesus’ time, leprosy was more than a disease; it was a life of total isolation. Yet a man with leprosy came to Jesus boldly, bracing himself for peoples’ daunts or even stoning. He had faith that Jesus could heal him and make him clean. His faith and desperation overcame fear. He had no doubt about Jesus’ power to make him clean (“you can”). He only questioned his willingness (“If you are willing”). He acknowledged Jesus’ sovereignty. Faith in Jesus means that we believe in his power and trust his sovereignty and wisdom in how he chooses to work. It also means that we simply come to Jesus despite our guilt or shame.

According to the Law, anyone who touched a leper became unclean. But out of compassion and love Jesus touched the man and consoled his soul, saying, “I am willing.” Jesus first restored his human dignity and worth. Before Jesus there is no one too unclean, broken, or sinful. Jesus welcomes and touches anyone who comes to him humbly. Jesus healed the man at once and instructed him to show himself to the priest to fulfill the legal requirement and rejoin the community. Sin makes us unclean; it isolates us from God and others. But Jesus makes us clean and restores us to fellowship in his church community.

Prayer: Lord, I come to you just as I am. Cleanse me and restore me.

One Word: Jesus is willing