“While he was in one of the cities, there came a man full of leprosy.
And when he saw Jesus, he fell on his face and begged him, ‘Lord, if you will, you can make me clean.’”
Luke 5:12
This man, afflicted with leprosy, provides a remarkable example for us in seeking Jesus. Because we can see his desperation. He wasn’t seeking Jesus just to watch Him do impressive things. No, he sought the Lord out of pure need.
He needed Him. He recognized Jesus as his only hope, because healing and cleansing were entirely outside of his abilities. This man was full of leprosy. His uncleanness was absolute. And under Old Testament law, he was not permitted to approach anyone as a result.
Yet when he saw Jesus, he threw himself at His feet and begged Him. In intense desperation. This was it. The only chance he had. The man believed in His power. He believed Jesus was able to do the impossible – heal him, and beyond that, make him clean. Opening the door to relationships again and to worshiping in the temple. His only question was if Jesus would do it.
Desperation, faith, and humility combine in this account.
As do Jesus’ compassion, love, and power.
Because His response is immediate: “And Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, ‘I will; be clean.’ And immediately the leprosy left him” (Luke 5:13).
When we realize the depth and gravity of our sin, our uncleanness, the sickness of our soul, may our hope be found here.
Whether we are seeing Jesus for the first time or we have walked with Him for a number of years, He is able and willing to make us clean.
And we don’t have to prove ourselves first. We simply need to come as this man who once was full of leprosy – but is no longer. With desperation, faith, and humility. We will find Jesus’ response the same: He will stretch out His hand to touch us, saying, “I will; be clean.” And immediately we shall be cleansed.
Our iniquity taken away by the One who bears all of our sicknesses, the Holy One with the power to cleanse us from all unrighteousness and the faithfulness and love to do so without question or hesitation.
This is our Savior. It is by His wounds we are healed. Regardless of the stains covering our soul and the patterns we feel stuck in, He reaches to pull us out into abundant life with Him.
“He drew me up from the pit of destruction,
out of the miry bog,
and set my feet upon a rock,
making my steps secure.
He put a new song in my mouth,
a song of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear,
and put their trust in the LORD.”
Psalm 40:2-3
“Bless the LORD, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits,
who forgives all your iniquity,
who heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the pit,
who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,
who satisfies you with good
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.”
Psalm 103:2-5
In Pleasant Places 