Mark 1:40-41

New Living Translation

A man with leprosy came and knelt in front of Jesus, begging to be healed. “If you are willing, you can heal me and make me clean,” he said. Moved with compassion, Jesus reached out and touched him. “I am willing,” he said. “Be healed!”

For Encouragement

His plea was simple and humble.

“If you are willing, you can make me clean” (Mark. 1:40).

The man with leprosy came to Jesus because He believed He could heal him, but more than that. The man affirmed the sovereignty of the Lord—something most of us forget in prayer.

Nothing is impossible for God when we approach Him in prayer (Luke 1:37), but we must come to Him in humility, acknowledging His sovereign right to act as He pleases. Jesus did not miss this with the leprous man.

His prayer moved Jesus to compassion, and He did what no Rabbi in His time would do—touch a person with leprosy and defile himself; but no condition is beyond the healing touch of our compassionate God.

“I am willing… be clean!”

Please do not miss this in your prayer this year. God wills to bless His people who come to Him by faith with their needs. He commands with authority and brings things to pass, and He would, in your case. But never forget His sovereign right to act according to His will.

After you approach Him by faith and express your needs, leave the rest to Him, and trust His justice in His response. He is faithful and just in all His ways. Your assurance is this. You will receive mercy and find grace to help in your time of need (Hebrews 4:16).

Shalom