“Θέλω”
And a leper came to him, imploring him, and kneeling said to him, “If you will, you can make me clean.” Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand and touched him and said to him, “I will; be clean.” And immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean. And Jesus sternly charged him and sent him away at once, and said to him, “See that you say nothing to anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses commanded, for a proof to them.” Mark 1:40-44
More so than in our time, people of the first century saw sickness, especially leprosy, resulting from punishment for sin. The man approaches Jesus with this affliction that requires him to isolate until clean. It likely separated him from family and friends for an extended period. The man comes to Jesus with the recognition that Jesus has the authority to make him clean of this disease/sin if he wills it.
Jesus answers, “Θέλω” (Thelo), which in scripture often signifies the Lord wanting (desiring) to birth his presence in them that can also empower and manifest his will extended through them. Jesus touches the leper and says, “I will.” The man is healed.
Then, after telling him to keep the “Messianic Secret,” Jesus tells him to go and follow the Torah and be certified by the priests to join public life again.
Sin (the ultimate disease) isolates us from God, and the solution is not ritual, nor can religious authorities make us clean. But we have One who desires to birth His presence in you so his divine love and power can heal others.
When is the last time you humbly kneeled before him and submitted to his healing?
Lord,
Your grace, authority, and will emanated out of you on the cross. Its effects heal in the present, the past, and the future. It reaches out to me at this moment, cleansing me of my sin. I once again kneel at the foot of your cross and ask you, “If you will, you can make me clean.”
Lord Jesus, Son of God, have pity on me, a sinner.
I hear your voice, “Θέλω.”
Thank you Lord Jesus. Amen!
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