A Leper’s Faith

February 13

(Luke 5:12 NIV) “When he saw Jesus, he fell with his face to the ground and begged him, "Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean."

(John 15:1-3 NIV) “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. {2} He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. {3} You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you.”

(John 20:29-31 NIV) “Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." {30} Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. {31} But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.”

Faith opens the door to cleansing. Jesus Christ is the Cleanser. The leper who came to Jesus had great faith. His question was not about Christ’s ability, but about His willingness. This is faith: believing that God can do anything if He is willing. Today we battle the symptoms of spiritual leprosy. We experience a loss of feeling in our hearts. We hurt ourselves and grow bitter. As we become progressively sicker, our leprous behavior isolates us. We are unclean and we know it. Jesus is willing to heal us, but no sinner has ever realized cleansing without faith of some kind. Like the leper, we must approach the Lord in faith and beg Him for cleansing. Christ has shown His willingness to cleanse, but only by faith can we access that cleansing. When we believe, Jesus saves. Have you believed? Will you? “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day