DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- READY AND WILLLING

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – READY AND WILLING

"And behold, a leper came and worshiped Him, saying, 'Lord, if You are willing,  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)

  

Jesus was always available when people came to Him to receive ministry.  Jesus never said, "I'm busy now.  Come back later."  Or, "Call my secretary and make an appointment."  He was always ready and willing to minister to people in need.

Great crowds were following Him because of His teaching.  He had just concluded what we call "The Sermon on the Mount."  People were in awe – or astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes (Matthew 7:28-29).

Out of the crowd came a leper.  The crowd probably gave him a wide berth because lepers were outcasts and separated from the rest of society.  At any rate, he came to Jesus, worshiping Him and asking for healing.  The leper recognized that he was an outcast and not worthy of Jesus, so he said, "If you are willing, You can make me clean."  To which Jesus answered, "I am willing."  In contrast to the rest of the people, Jesus was not afraid to associate with this leper.  Jesus put out His hand and touched him and healed him. 

We get another illustration of the willingness of Jesus in the following incident recorded in verses 5-13, when a centurion came to Him, seeking healing for his paralyzed and tormented servant.  Jesus said, "I will come."  Jesus was available, even to a Roman soldier, whom many in Israel hated.

Jesus does not confine Himself to those who are righteous, popular, elite, or powerful.  I'm so glad that He does not discriminate.  He takes the leper, the despised, the unwanted, and says to anyone who comes to Him in faith, "I am available and willing to help." He even takes time for me.    

Love, Dad