146 of 365 - If

“Lord, if you are willing, you can heal me and make me clean,” he says. Matthew 8:2
 
A leper approaches Jesus amidst great crowds. An outcast. Banished from society. Unable to have anyone near him, much less touch him. It is humiliating, but he is desperate. Full of sores, weary from living this hard and lonely life, he kneels before Jesus.

“Lord, if you are willing, you can heal me and make me clean,” he says.

Lord, if you are willing.

This man has no doubt Jesus is worthy of worship; no doubt Jesus CAN heal him. He just isn’t sure if Jesus is willing for reasons beyond his understanding.

Jesus replies, “I will; be clean.” With those words, the man could be healed and cleansed, but Jesus shows even greater compassion. Jesus stretches out His holy hand and touches him. Likely the first touch this man has felt in a very long time.  Immediately, the man is cured and cleansed.

Lord, if you are willing.

In this story, Jesus was willing and able. The healing came.
 
But what about the times it doesn’t?
 
To be continued…
 
Questions: What are your initial thoughts about the idea of God being able to do something, but perhaps not willing? Under what circumstances do you think God would not be willing?