Dear Friend,

Have you ever felt “untouchable,”“unlovable”, even “unforgivable?”

“A man with leprosy came to Jesus and begged him on his knees, ‘If you are willing, you can make me clean.’ Filled with compassion, Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. ‘I am willing,’ he said. ‘Be clean!’ Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cured.” Mark 1:40-42*

The leper came to Jesus on his knees. The knees of a disfigured leper can be terribly painful. This leper had humility.

The leper“begged” Jesus.  “Beg” is from a word in the Greek language meaning someone who comes alongside to help.

The leper implores Jesus, “Come alongside me and help me.”

Wonderfully,Jesus does just that, actually touching the disfigured “untouchable” leper.

Remember this:Jesus touched the leper and Jesus touches you.

“If you are willing,” said the leper. This is the crux of his request. The issue was not“if you are able” but “if you are willing.”  This leper has faith.

Again, wonderfully, Jesus replies, “I am willing.”

Come to Jesus in humility and faith with the struggles of your own soul and hear his words shouting his grace to you, “I AM WILLING – BE CLEAN.”

Joy to you – E. Stanley Ott

©Copyright 2019E. Stanley Ott
*Scripture from the ESV

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1. Think of something about you that can or does make you unloveable - perhaps something you've done or said or some other matter.
2. Imagine going to Jesus and like the leper, begging Jesus, asking Jesus to come along your side to help.
3. Jesus is the one who cleanses, forgives, and loves every person who come to him in humility and trust! Go to him and know his love this very day!