Mark 1:40

New International Version

A man with leprosy came to him and begged him on his knees, “If you are willing, you can make me clean.”

For Encouragement

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

Some call it a prayer of unbelief. Others mock the poor man as one with a weak faith. Call it what you may, but I welcome it as a respectful attitude in prayer we have lost these days.

How do we approach the throne of our holy God, the high and mighty One, who has no equal? Because He has gifted us with His Spirit, do we masquerade before Him with a haughty spirit, assuming personal ownership of power and authority? Where is the first thing He taught us in prayer—to honor His name (Matthew 6:9)?

The leprous man recognized his desperate situation that no one could heal but Jesus. He never doubted the authority and ability of the Lord. His need was for the will of the Lord to graciously condescend to his predicament, and he knew his leprosy would become history.

“If you are willing…”

His affirmation to Jesus was this: Lord, you have the power and authority to command my healing if only I can tap into your mercy and wealth of grace. So, I have come prostrating to your feet. Please, have mercy on me.

Why will the Savior deny this poor soul the compassion he sought? His humility aroused every anger in the Lord against the wreckage sin has brought over creation, particularly humans made in His image and likeness. Please make no mistake about this and run with any faulty understanding that the Lord was indignant about the supposed lack of faith of the man. 

The emotional distress of the Master was all about the devastation of sin and its attendant sickness and disease.

Visit the tomb of Lazarus, His friend, and feel the Savior’s hatred for the devastation of sin (John 11:32-35). He wept over it, but thankfully, that was the purpose of His earthly mission—to take away the sin of the world (John 1:29) and free us from the terror of death (Hebrews 2:14-15). With a command full of compassion, Jesus resurrected Lazarus (John 11:43-45).

So, brimming with divine compassion, Jesus touched the man no one would touch and said to him, “I am willing … be clean!” (41).

How could that man keep this news to himself (44)? How can you keep yours to yourself? With the river of joy flowing in his heart, he went about proclaiming the goodness of the Lord to all who cared to listen (45).

I don’t know about you, but like the man with leprosy, I will always recognize the sovereignty of the Lord in prayer and lean upon His mercy and grace. Despite His many promises and the authority He has given to His disciples for spiritual warfare, I will never overlook His holiness and act as if He is at my bidding.

I always expect respect and politeness from my children when they come before me. How, then, could I give less to my Lord?

Grace to you.