40A man with leprosyh came to him and begged him on his knees, “If you are willing, you can make me clean.”
41Jesus was indignant.i He reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said.“Be clean!” 42Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cleansed. (Mark 1)
Thoughts: The question the man had was not in the power of God, but in the willlingness of God. The reaction of Jesus is translated in almost two opposite ways. One way is that Jesus was indignant at what the man was implying by asking, "If you are willing." The other translation says that Jesus was filled with compassion at what the man said. So which is it: Indignation or compassion? Often when Jesus heals someone he talks about their faith playing a role in their healing ("Go your faith has made you well" Lk.8:48, 17:19; Mt. 9:22 et al). Here the man had faith in the power of God, but not so much faith in the willingness of God to help him. Jesus helped him with his lack of faith. Perhaps he was indignant that he didn't believe in his compassion. Jesus healed him anyway. I once read in the Book of Common Worship a statement that said it is not God's will that anyone is hurting. How do we know? God is for us. He showed that in creating us, and coming down for us. His ultimate will is for our salvation. However, the lessons of Job, Paul's thorn in the flesh, and the cross is that He has the prerogative to say no -but the ability to say yes. We are called to trust in his goodness either way. God is God not just for what he can do for us right now- but for His overall good plan.
Prayer: Lord, be willing to help me in my time of need. May my faith respond better to our willingness.
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