If you are willing ...

In the book of Mark there is a story of a man with leprosy who approached Jesus with the hope of being healed. 

Mark 1:40–42 (NASB95)
40 And a leper came to Jesus, beseeching Him and falling on his knees before Him, and saying, “If You are willing, You can make me clean.” 41 Moved with compassion, Jesus stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, “I am willing; be cleansed.” 42 Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cleansed.

It is obvious that the man had a certain expectation in his heart concerning Jesus' ability to heal him. When the leper said to Jesus, “If You are willing, You can make me clean”, he was making a bold statement of faith and confidence in the Lord’s ability to heal. He did not doubt that Jesus could heal him, he only seemed unsure whether Jesus was willing to heal him. This is interesting in light of the struggles many have with faith today, especially in the area of healing. Perhaps we struggle with the same dilemma. Many of us believe Jesus has the power to heal us but struggle with whether He is willing to heal us. We wrestle with all types of questions like, “Is it God’s will to heal me, is He using this sickness to teach me something, etc.” 

Jesus is not only able to heal, but willing to heal- today as well as 2000 years ago. Jesus gave instructions to the disciples 2000 years ago and I believe those instructions apply to us today as well …

Matthew 10:7–8 (NASB95)
7 “And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ 8 “Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. Freely you received, freely give.

God is asking us to share with others the life He has given to us- freely give what we have been freely given.

Do you feel comfortable praying for others that God would heal them? Are you able to pray in faith believing that God is both able and willing to heal?