Immediate Healing
Now a leper came to Him, imploring Him, kneeling down to Him and saying to Him, “If You are willing, You can make me clean.” Then Jesus, moved with compassion, stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, “I am willing; be cleansed.” As soon as He had spoken, immediately the leprosy left him, and he was cleansed. Mark 1:40-42
The Gospel of Mark is thought of as the Gospel of action. Mark uses this action word, “immediately”, nearly 40 times. The words of Jesus are central, but just as important are His actions. His words and deeds repeatedly point to the fact that He is the Christ, the Son of God, and God in human flesh.
The words exchanged between the leper and Jesus here prove as much. The man had a great declaration of faith. He believed and confessed that the only thing standing between him and restored health was Christ’s will. Jesus’ ability for that impossible healing was never in doubt. The power was there. The only question in the matter was His willingness.
Christ’s compassion was willing. Even before the healing happened, Jesus was moved with compassion and touched the untouchable. Once His Word was spoken, IMMEDIATELY the disease was gone. While not every prayer for physical healing is answered immediately, this teaches us about His compassion. The power is there. He is able to make you clean. It’s true for your body. More importantly it’s true for your soul. Ask, knowing that our uncleanness is no barrier when it comes to His unwavering compassion. Whether we are physically healed is a matter of His will and our good. Yet our spiritual healing is certain. Jesus was willing to bear the cross, and that is what it took to cleanse us, restore us, and give us heaven as our home. “I am willing; be cleansed.”
Just as I am, Thou wilt receive,
Wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve;
Because Thy promise I believe,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
Just as I am; Thy love unknown
Has broken every barrier down.
Now to be Thine, yea, Thine alone,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
The Lutheran Hymnal 388:5-6