“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.” Matthew 8:2,3. (NKJV).
“Listen, Timmy, then decide.” Grandfather sat in his chair.
"Eli came from the field, holding his arm against his chest. He brushed off his wife's concern.
"‘I bruised it, Naomi. Nothing to worry about.’ 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. Go--to the leper’s cave.'
“‘Please, let me tell my wife and 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? Could he take the chance? 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. Be cleansed.'
“The priest took one look. ‘Leprosy. Go--to the leper’s cave.'
“‘Please, let me tell my wife and 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? Could he take the chance? 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. Be cleansed.'
"Grandfather? Did the Lord Jesus heal him?"
"Yes. He was willing." Grandfather's brow wrinkled. "Son, we have the leprosy of sin. Maybe our festering sores of unforgiveness, jealousy, and, you fill in the blank, aren't evident to others but the Lord Jesus knows and He comes. He says, 'I'm willing. I'll take your place. Only the healing power of My blood can wash you clean, make you new.'
"Me, too, Grandfather? I'm willing."
"Absolutely, son. Absolutely." He hugged his grandson.
Kingdom Thinking. The Lord Jesus stood before me and offered His everlasting love and forgiveness. He cleansed me and made me whole. Are you willing? He is. You decide.
Kingdom Thinking. The Lord Jesus stood before me and offered His everlasting love and forgiveness. He cleansed me and made me whole. Are you willing? He is. You decide.