In Matthew 8:2-3, we read: “And behold, a leper came and worshiped Him, saying, ‘Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.’ Then Jesus put out His hand and touched him, saying, ’I am willing; be cleansed.’ Immediately his leprosy was cleansed.”
“Timmy. Let me tell you about it. You decide.” Grandfather sat in his chair.
"Eli came from the field, holding his arm against his chest. ‘I bruised it, Naomi. Nothing to worry about,’ he said to his wife. The next morning, in pain, he insisted he complete his work. Another night of sleeplessness. Something had to be done. 'I’ll go to the priest.’
“The priest took one look. ‘Leprosy. You must leave--live in the leper’s cave.'
“‘Please, let me tell my children goodbye.’ The priest pointed in the direction of the cave. Shoulders slumped, Eli walked away. To live a life of painful exile.
“Naomi and the children brought food, left it on the rock by the cave. The children grew up, married, left home. Still, Naomi came.
“‘Have you heard, Eli? The rabbi is coming. They say he heals the sick, even raises the dead. Let’s go hear him,’ Naomi said.
“‘I can’t be near healthy people.' How if? He didn’t dare answer the question. He went. In the company of the excited people, they didn’t notice him.
"Eli ran to the rabbi, fell down and worshiped Him. ‘If you are willing, Lord, you can make me clean.' The Lord Jesus touched him. ‘I’m willing. Do not tell anyone, but to go to the priest, and offer the sacrifice required by Moses.'”
Kingdom Thinking. Infected with the leprosy of sin, the festering sores of unforgiveness, jealousy, and (you fill the blank) didn’t work. Then the Lord Jesus came. He said to me, “I’m willing. I’ll take your place. Only the healing power of My blood can wash you clean, make you new.”
The Lord Jesus stands before you and offers His everlasting love and forgiveness. He will cleanse you. He is willing. Are you? You decide.
“Timmy. Let me tell you about it. You decide.” Grandfather sat in his chair.
"Eli came from the field, holding his arm against his chest. ‘I bruised it, Naomi. Nothing to worry about,’ he said to his wife. The next morning, in pain, he insisted he complete his work. Another night of sleeplessness. Something had to be done. 'I’ll go to the priest.’
“The priest took one look. ‘Leprosy. You must leave--live in the leper’s cave.'
“‘Please, let me tell my children goodbye.’ The priest pointed in the direction of the cave. Shoulders slumped, Eli walked away. To live a life of painful exile.
“Naomi and the children brought food, left it on the rock by the cave. The children grew up, married, left home. Still, Naomi came.
“‘Have you heard, Eli? The rabbi is coming. They say he heals the sick, even raises the dead. Let’s go hear him,’ Naomi said.
“‘I can’t be near healthy people.' How if? He didn’t dare answer the question. He went. In the company of the excited people, they didn’t notice him.
"Eli ran to the rabbi, fell down and worshiped Him. ‘If you are willing, Lord, you can make me clean.' The Lord Jesus touched him. ‘I’m willing. Do not tell anyone, but to go to the priest, and offer the sacrifice required by Moses.'”
Kingdom Thinking. Infected with the leprosy of sin, the festering sores of unforgiveness, jealousy, and (you fill the blank) didn’t work. Then the Lord Jesus came. He said to me, “I’m willing. I’ll take your place. Only the healing power of My blood can wash you clean, make you new.”
The Lord Jesus stands before you and offers His everlasting love and forgiveness. He will cleanse you. He is willing. Are you? You decide.