Let us, therefore, come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. –
Hebrews 4:16
Mark 1:40 tells us the story of this leper who comes to Jesus and says that praying and kneeling, he said to him: If you want, you can heal me. The lepers were people totally excluded from the villages, they were forbidden to be close to everything and everyone, people rejected them and marginalized them because of their illness. And, possibly, it was very logical for them to feel that no one had to receive them, to accept them, or to do something for them. I have no doubt that they were used to living marked by contempt and ridicule.
So, imagine this man without resources, without answers, without exits, who understood that no one had to do anything for him and, whatever they did for him was like an act of charity, to approach Jesus and tell him that, if he wanted to, he could heal him. In other words, you don’t have to, but if you want to. The next verse says that Jesus – moved with compassion, stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, “I am willing; be cleansed.”. And instantly leprosy healed.
Surely this man was expecting some new rejection, to be ignored or overlooked, to which he was already accustomed. But it was not so. Jesus’ tender heart did not overlook him, he did not ignore him, but he touched him, which no one could do because they were considered unclean and no one could touch them. There was no longer a gesture or expression of affection for them.
For Jesus that leprosy was nothing because for him nothing is impossible. More than leprosy, Jesus saw a wounded heart, marked by rejection. And by touching him, he was not only healing the leprosy of his body, he was reaching where no medicine could reach, his heart hopeless.
Today you could be going through a situation where you feel unworthy, you may feel alone, rejected, devalued. Maybe someone turned their back on you or betrayed you. It is possible that bad decisions from yesterday, today are making you feel guilty, miserable. You are tired, powerless, or exhausted, thinking of giving up because you see no resources or way out. You don’t see anything or anyone that can help you get out of your state. And you can see yourself as the man in this story, for him there was no hope.
Today Jesus, as at that moment, is passing by you. And even when you feel the way you feel, if like that man, shyly and humbly, you ask him if he wants to help you in your situation, you will hear the same answer that man heard: I am willing. Can you hear Jesus answer, I am willing?
I am willing to heal you, I am willing to set you free, I am willing to comfort you, I am willing to hug you, I am willing to cover you, I am willing to provide you, I am willing, I am willing, I am willing. What you need, not only does he have, but he is willing to give it to you. He just wants you to approach with a sincere and humble heart. There is nothing he does not know, nor is it impossible for him. Don’t miss the opportunity to get closer. The man may no longer have the strength, but he did not let his situation overcome him. He simply approached and took his miracle. Do the same and receive yours. Jesus’ tender heart and mercy are open to you.
Let us, therefore, come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. – Hebrews 4:16
