LUKE 5:12-13

While Jesus was in one of the towns, a man came along who was covered with leprosy. When he saw Jesus, he fell with his face to the ground and begged him, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.”

Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” And immediately the leprosy left him.

TO PONDER

What is Jesus willing to do that you may not be? We all know how a leper was viewed by their community at the time of Jesus; they were 'unclean' according to Jewish religious laws and as such were shunned from their communities. No one else would have been willing even to approach this man, but Jesus just reached right out and touched him and brought healing.

I sometimes wonder if Jesus is willing to do more with us than we are willing to do. What if Jesus is saying to you, "I am willing to heal this person - would you reach out your hand in my name and pray for their healing?" Or maybe Jesus is willing to break someone free of an addiction and wants you to be the one to deliver that freedom in his name. Would you be willing? Would you be prepared to trust that Jesus might actually do something and to be the one through which he does it? That is, after all, what being a disciple of Jesus is all about - following him and his direction.

Is he directing you or are you unwilling to to do the works he has prepared in advance for you to do?

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, thank you for being willing to go to the cross to bring me life, healing and forgiveness. Help me to be willing to serve others with the same kind of sacrificial service with which you have already served me. Amen