So often, when I read the story of Jesus cleansing the
leper, I am touched by two words that Jesus uttered. The leper came to Jesus
and said, “If you will, you can make me clean.” Then Jesus said to him, “I
will, be clean.” The two words that grab my heart are “I will.” The leper had
asked him if he was willing and Jesus replied that he was. That seems to be the
heart of Jesus, doesn’t it? He is willing to heal us from the sickness of our
sin and for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good
pleasure. to make us clean.
When I think of being like Jesus that seems to be the
quality that epitomizes him the most — his willingness. He was willing to leave
heaven and come to earth. He was willing to touch and heal many of their
diseases. He was willing to forgive sins. He was willing to go to the cross so
that our sins might be forgiven and we might have eternal life. He was willing
to suffer and die for us.
And when I think of my seeking to live like Jesus, so often
the very thing I am lacking is willingness. I may have all sorts of reasons and
excuses, but the truth is, I am just not
willing so many times. I need the help of God to be willing. I need the truth
of Philippians 2:13 to be real in me all the time: “for it is God who works in
you, both to will and to work for his
good pleasure.”
Prayer: Father, you are the One who makes me willing and
able. Help me, Lord, to be willing to do your will. Help me to be willing to
love as you love and to live in a way that is worthy of the grace you have
shown me.
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