I am willing ...

In Matthew chapter 8 is the account of the Centurion that came to Jesus on behalf of his sick servant. It's a cool account, and most of us are familiar with it. But right before that account, we are told of a man with leprosy that came to Jesus.  The account is brief. We aren’t told much about the man, where he came from, or how bad his case of leprosy was.

A man with leprosy came and knelt before him and said, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.” Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing…” - - Matt 8:2-3

This entire encounter is about 5 seconds worth of reading. Perhaps the event itself was not much more than that. But in that brief period of time we are presented with in incredible statement when Jesus says  “I am willing…”   

Here is a man with a problem.  Perhaps his situation is worse than some, perhaps better than others. Certainly there were people in worse shape.  But this man comes and kneels before Jesus and he makes this simple statement “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.”  It’s not really a request, it’s more a statement.  If Jesus was willing, He could take care of the man’s problem. No sweat.

It made me think:  Are we as willing and ready to bring our problems before Jesus like this guy?  Are we willing to not just shoot up a popcorn prayer about the problem, but to come before Jesus, and kneel before Him, and say to Him “Lord, if you are willing, I know you can fix this.”

And then I look at the response.  There was no “um, so how much have you been praying?” “How is your faith?”  “Are you going to the right synogogue?” Jesus laid no conditions on this man – but He simple said “I am willing…”  Man I love that statement – I want to read it over and over – “I am willing… I am willing… I am willing…”

In other words – when we have a problem, our Lord and Savior, our King and High Priest, the Lord Jesus Christ is willing to intervene in our lives.  Not sometime in the future – but NOW.  Right NOW!

All we need to is come - and kneel - and ask.  Jesus is here, He is ready, and most of all He is willing!  We serve a great and loving Lord!

PC