There are many life circumstances that cause depression, anxieties of all kinds coupled with worry and fear.  Some are self-inflicted.  Some are not.  Sometimes in the middle of it all, we push people away because we have lost hope.  Our only mission seems to be to succumb to our present situation.  People shy away from a person who is needy because it is uncomfortable for them.  So, as desperation seeps in, we feel alone.  Very alone.  We might, on a good day, seek other people like us who are going through the same thing so we can be in misery together, but we don’t seek real relief.  We just stay isolated from the rest of the world.  Hopeless.

“Suddenly”

This word leaps off the page for me this morning.  What was the last time you did something suddenly, foregoing all risk, because you were led by the Spirit of God to do so?  When was the last time you obeyed, without overthinking it, and suddenly ran to the One and Only who would guide you to restoration and hope of life eternal?  I love how this man, isolated to the rest of the world by his illness, “suddenly” decided to approach Jesus, seeking help from the One and Only who he decided and was convinced in his mind would indeed heal him.  What a wonderful thought this morning for all of us who isolate because we think we have no hope until “suddenly” led by the Holy Spirit, we jump up from the ashes of defeat to victory in Jesus!

“…if you are willing, you can heal me and make me clean”, proclaims the leper who approached Jesus in the crowd with great risk of being driven away.  We learn from this man that even in desperation, he asks for Jesus’ will to be done, “if you are willing”–you know what I want but what do YOU want, Jesus? We learn from this man’s humility that God’s will must triumph over our want. The man’s humbled, yielded will is probably what first got Jesus’ attention.  What do you think?  All we surmise from this point is this man is on his knees before the Son of God asking for His will for his hopeless life of isolation because of a flesh eating disease. 

“I am willing, be healed” is the response of a loving Savior and Lord.  But wait!  Jesus doesn’t stop there!  Jesus then delivers HIS plan and purpose for this restored, healed man.   Obey the Law, he tells the healed man, by showing those in charge that you are completely clean and restored to health.  This was protection for the man from the community who had pushed him out.  The authorities must clear him for passage to return to his family, make a living, and rebuild relationships with his friends!  Cleared, he can now, without fear of being stoned and driven away, return to those he loved most.  But first, he had to be “cleared for take-off”, so to speak, before his new life and mission given to him by Jesus, the One and Only, who did not come to abolish the Law but to fulfill could begin.  The now healed man had to be shown cleansed and given the “go-ahead”.

He is no longer “the leper”.  Jesus gave the leper and new attitude with a new way of life with a new persona—”Healed and Restored”!  Jesus then told him his new mission.  Testify.  Go tell.  Go tell your story so others may know hope.  Wow!

“This will be a public testimony that you have been cleansed.”

Matthew—The Law Fulfilled

Matthew 8:1-4, NLT

Jesus Heals a Man with Leprosy

Large crowds followed Jesus as he came down the mountainside. ² Suddenly, a man with leprosy approached him and knelt before him. “Lord,” the man said, “if you are willing, you can heal me and make me clean.”

³ Jesus reached out and touched him. “I am willing,” he said. “Be healed!” And instantly the leprosy disappeared. ⁴ Then Jesus said to him, “Don’t tell anyone about this. Instead, go to the priest and let him examine you. Take along the offering required in the law of Moses for those who have been healed of leprosy. This will be a public testimony that you have been cleansed.”

In the background of my mind the song, “My Testimony” is playing.  (By Elevation)

I saw satan fall like lightning
I saw darkness run for cover
But the miracle that I just can’t get over
My name is registered in heaven

I believe in signs and wonders
I have resurrection power
Still the miracle that I just can’t get over
My name is registered in heaven
My praise belongs to you forever

This is my testimony from death to life
Cause grace rewrote my story, I’ll testify
By Jesus Christ the Righteous
I’m justified
This is my testimony
This is my testimony

Abba, Father in Heaven,

Great are you Lord!  Thank you for saving my soul and making me whole.  Thank you for restoration and healing over the years.  Thank you for lessons learned through mistakes and missteps.  Thank you for protection and provision.  Thank you for all you have done, are doing and will do.  May your Kingdom come and reign in me and all around me.  May your glory of you in me be my testimony.  May YOUR WILL be done in every detail of this new day.  Give us this day all we need to be a testimony of your goodness and saving grace.  Lead us not to temptations to be shy and hold back what we know about you.  Deliver us from evil.  For you have all power, to you be all glory!  Forever.

In Jesus Name, Amen