12 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."
13 Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. "I am willing," he said. "Be clean!" And immediately the leprosy left him.
These two verses are filled with such passion. They touch me. Here we see a helpless, hopeless, human humbly approaching his Hope. Can we not relate here? Have we not each felt helpless and hopeless at a time in our lives needing what only Hope can provide? Take joy! Hope is willing! In Biblical times the plight of a leper was not a pretty picture. They were removed from the society of men. While thus excluded, the leper was to wear mourning costume, rend his clothes, leave the hair of his head disordered, keep his beard covered and cry out loudly “Unclean! Unclean!” so that everyone might avoid him for fear of being defiled. As long as the disease lasted he was to dwell apart from the camp (Unger’s Bible Dictionary). The text tells us that this poor man was covered with this dreaded disease. The word translated “covered” is the Greek word “Pleres” meaning complete, full and abounding in. He had it bad. This reminds me of Paul’s description of us apart from Christ: 11 Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called "uncircumcised" by those who call themselves "the circumcision" (that done in the body by the hands of men)-- 12 remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ. Eph 2:11-13 (NIV)
I wonder how long it had been since he had heard a kind word. I wonder how long had it been since he had been hugged or even touched. I wonder if he longed for sweet fellowship and perhaps for the desire for life to just be normal again. Seeing Jesus, he falls at His feet to capture cleansing. Rather than crying out “Unclean!” he begs “Cleanse me!” Does this not remind you of the penitent Psalm of David in Psalm 51? 2 Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. Psalms 51:2 (NIV) 7 Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Psalms 51:7 (NIV) 12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. Psalms 51:12 (NIV) 17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. Psalms 51:17 (NIV)
God does not delight in our coming to Him with an arrogant self righteous spirit rather His desire is for us to approach Him humbly to be healed. Dwight L. Moody says: “The Lord sends no one away empty except those who are full of themselves”. Reaching out His hand this leper receives his first touch perhaps in years and what a touch it is! A willing touch from the Master always heals. The word translated “willing” is the Greek word “Thelo” meaning to will, wish, desire, implying active volition and purpose; it indicates not only willing something, but also pressing on to action. Humans may purpose and perhaps not carry through but with God, when it is willed, it is done! 9 Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me. 10 I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say: My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please. Isaiah 46:9-10 (NIV)
Immediately, Scripture tells us, the leper is cleansed – freed from filth, purified from pollution. No longer alienated; no longer an outcast. Jesus was willing! Jesus is still willing!