The Leper’s Faith

Friday 25th June 2021. Read Genesis 17:1-22, Psalm 128 and Matthew 8:1-4 

“Lord, if you will, you can make me clean.” (Matthew 8:2)

Propelled by faith, a Leper boldly walked up to Jesus and said, “Lord, if you will, you can make me clean.” Even though he was a leper, his faith was stronger than his external condition. I will repeat this: Even though he was a leper, his faith was stronger than his external condition. He did not allow his circumstance determine the extent of his faith in God. 

While the leper believed that God was capable of doing anything, Abraham fell on his face and laughed when God told him that his wife Sarai would have a child. Abraham thought that God had already done his best with Ishmael. Like Abraham, we sometimes look at our external condition and assume what we have is the limit of what God can do. The truth is that there is just no limit to what can do.

When we examine the statement of the Leper, we discover that contained therein is a powerful lesson for us. This leper said: “Lord if you will, you can…” In other words, if you want to do it for me, you have the power to do it.

Recall how Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane during his agony? “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou wilt.” (Matthew 26:39). The Leper did not command his healing from God. He begged that if it was in line with the will of God, he should be healed.

In response, Jesus said to the Leper: “I will, be clean.” Instantly, the leprosy left him. Just as Jesus spoke to the winds and sea, Jesus spoke directly to his leprosy. Jesus is the one who commanded his leprosy to leave. All we have to do is to pray with faith and allow God do the rest.

Whatever it is that you are facing right now, let these words of Jesus resound again in your heart: “I will, be clean.” Jesus assures us: “What man of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!” (Matthew 7:9-11)

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, heal us from all our diseases and troubles. Grant us a deeper faith in you and the grace of humility when we approach you in prayer. Amen

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Friday of week 12 in Ordinary Time. Bible Study: Genesis 17:1-22, Psalm 128 and Matthew 8:1-4).