I Want To!

ByJim Stephens

Reading: Job 19; Mark 1-2

40 A man with leprosy came and knelt in front of Jesus, begging to be healed. “If you want to, you can make me well again,” he said. 41 Moved with pity, Jesus touched him. “I want to,” he said. “Be healed!” (Mark 1:40-41 NLT) 4 They couldn’t get to Jesus through the crowd, so they dug through the clay roof above his head. Then they lowered the sick man on his mat, right down in front of Jesus. 5 Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, “My son, your sins are forgiven.” (Mark 2:4-5 NLT) Jesus was deeply moved by the quiet, unassuming faith of an outcast leper. This man, who lived without hope as the degenerative disease ravaged his body, saw Jesus and believed he could heal him. He came quietly and humbly and said, “I know you can heal me if you want to.” Jesus was deeply moved. Jesus reached out his hand and touched and healed this unclean leper. “I want to!”

Jesus was impressed by the bold roof-ripping faith of four men who loved their friend enough to do whatever it took to get help for him. I don’t know if their plan included appropriate apologies and roof repair. I know their determination led to an act that impressed Jesus and resulted in the healing of their friend and the forgiveness of his sins!

I need Jesus’ healing, cleansing, touch on my life every bit as much as the outcast leper. I need his forgiveness and his healing of my spiritual paralysis every bit as much as the paralyzed man lying on his cot on the floor in front of Jesus.

I wonder if my humble faith ever deeply moves Jesus? Does my bold belief ever impress him? I’m learning to approach Jesus with a humble acknowledgment of my need and my confidence in his power and love. By God’s grace, I’ll learn to take bold steps of roof-ripping faith on behalf of those in need! I know that Jesus still wants to forgive my sins and cleanse my heart and heal my paralysis. He still wants to! Prayer:

Jesus, Master, if you want to, you can cleanse and heal me. Jesus, I’m willing to take bold steps based on my faith in you. I am trusting that as I do, you will free me from paralysis of the soul and send me on my way to do your will. Amen.

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