If You are willing

​9-23-22
 
Today’s devotion is based on Matthew 8:2, where we hear the leper say to Jesus, “Lord if you will, you can make me clean.”
 
Leprosy in Jesus’ day was a lifetime ban from the family, the village, and society. The leper had to shout to people who might come near him that he or she was unclean. Notice that he did not ask to be cured. He left that decision to Jesus. He only pointed out that if Jesus wanted to, he could heal him, making him clean and once again acceptable to everyone, his family, the village, and society.
 
His statement is a beautiful example of faith. The leper’s statement helps us to understand what characterizes faith. Faith does not demand, threaten, or insist. Faith understands that is no deserving of God’s favor. It just asks that God do what we ask if it is in his will. We need to learn this because, as sinners, we too often pray as if God owes us. In other words, since we being his children, we deserve a positive answer from him.
 
Please pray with me; Lord, you have made me clean from all my guilt. I know that I don’t deserve your forgiveness. I can’t promise I will not ever sin against you again. Thank you for your promise of eternal love. All I can do is pray, “Make me clean, for your name’s sake. Amen.