APPROACH WITH BOLDNESS
Large crowds followed Jesus as He came down the mountainside. Suddenly, a man with leprosy approached Him and knelt before Him. “Lord,” the man said, “if You are willing, You can heal me and make me clean.” Jesus reached out and touched him. “I am willing,” He said. “Be healed!” And instantly the leprosy disappeared. Then Jesus said to him, “Don’t tell anyone about this. Instead, go to the priest and let him examine you. Take along the offering required in the law of Moses for those who have been healed of leprosy. This will be a public testimony that you have been cleansed.”
Matthew 8:1-4 (NLT)
This story is so easy to overlook, but it’s one of my favorites in the entirety of Scripture. Jesus is fresh off the Sermon on the Mount—His longest recorded public sermon. There are large crowds following Him because the people have never encountered a teacher quite like Him. As He, His disciples and these crowds descend the mountain, a leper approaches. If you can use your sanctified imagination for a moment—see in your mind’s eye everyone but Jesus shrinking back. Leprosy was a big deal—highly contagious with no known cure. It was also believed to be a punishment for sin, so the crowd might have believed that this poor man deserved his horrible condition.
The leper is quite clear in his belief that Jesus can heal him… if He is willing. We see that Jesus is willing and does heal the man. But don’t miss the significance of verse three. Go back and read it again. When is the man healed—at the touch of Jesus or at His word? You see that it’s when Jesus says, “Be healed!” So why did He first touch the leper? He certainly didn’t need to— we see other instances in Scripture where Jesus heals from a distance simply by speaking. I believe He chose to dignify this man by reaching out and touching him. Who knows how long it had been since this man was clasped around the shoulders or given a handshake? Simple human dignities had been denied this man, and Jesus restores them.
Jesus can heal you as well. You may not have an incurable disease (though if you do, I believe Jesus is no less powerful to heal today than He was in this story from thousands of years ago). But whatever ails you, Jesus can rectify. We must approach with boldness, just like the leper in this story. Consider what the writer of Hebrews says in Hebrews 4:16 (NLT): So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive His mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.
APPLICATION: What do you need to take to Jesus? Now is the time to live out Hebrews 4:16—approach boldly and watch Him change your life.
PRAYER:
Almighty God, You can transform me and cure me. Help me to believe that to the point of action. I desire to surrender all to You. Holy Spirit, grant me the courage and conviction to do so. In the matchless name of Jesus, amen.
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may Your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May Your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?