by Pastor Rich Carlson

The story of Jesus healing the leper in Mark 1 is amazing. And yet the conversation between them is quite simple.

“If you are willing . . . make me clean,” the leper entreated (verse 40).

“I am willing,” Jesus replied. “Be clean” (verse 41).

The Bible says that Jesus was “filled with compassion” for the leprous man and healed him. The condemning disease left the man’s body and he was whole once again (verse 41). What makes this scene so amazing is that Jesus’ conversation with the leper is similar to one He was with His repentant friends today.

We say, “Lord, if You are willing, please forgive me for…”

“If I’m willing? Of course I am willing! You’re forgiven,” He replies lovingly.

End of story! We are as cleansed of our sins as the leprous man was of his disease!

But here is where the two stories differ. Christ told the leper not to tell anyone what He had done, just go to the temple and do what the Law of Moses required regarding the cleansing of leprosy. But the man did the opposite.

The text does not say whether he got to the temple or not, but it does say that he told everyone what Jesus had done for him. In fact, he was so vocal about the miracle that Jesus couldn’t even move around freely anymore because of all the attention He was getting (verses 43-45).

However, to us He says, “You don’t have to go to the temple to get your sins forgiven. I already took care of them. What I want you to do is tell everyone about your new life in Me, so they can benefit just as you have.” 

It’s fortunate for us that Jesus is willing to heal spiritual lepers as well as physical ones. And after experiencing a love like that, how could we keep Him to ourselves?

Rich Carlson is campus chaplain at Union College in Lincoln, Nebraska. “God Is Faithful” is adapted from the email devotionals he writes regularly for the Union College family. Rich enjoys filling his life with God, his family, and especially his five grandchildren.