To understand this incident properly, we must grasp... - All The Good Seed Daily Devotionals for 2025

A leper came to him (Jesus), imploring him, kneeling down to him and saying to him, If you are willing, you can make me clean. Then Jesus, moved with compassion, stretched out his hand and touched him, and said to him, I am willing, be cleansed. Immediately the leprosy left him, and he was cleansed.
Mark 1:40-42.

To understand this incident properly, we must grasp what despair the diagnosis of leprosy causes. In biblical times leprosy was incurable. It meant a deformed external appearance, crippled limbs and inconsolable solitude for the affected. Leprosy was infectious; so lepers were excluded from society.

The man here was leprous; we know no more about him. He was a pitiable sight; his family and friends had abandoned him, and he could only wait for death to come. But until then he had to suffer physically and mentally. When he came to Jesus, he knelt before him and asked for help. He was noticeably desperate.

He said, "You can ." He was convinced that the Lord had power that none other had: the power to heal. He clearly had great faith. Yet something made him uncertain, and everything depended on that: he did not know whether Jesus was willing. How sad that the leper did not yet know the love of Jesus. He knew that Jesus could, but was not sure whether He would.

Maybe you are in a similar situation, believing that the Lord can save, but are unsure whether He will. Or do you think he has overlooked you? In this case, the Lord was moved with compassion. He said, "I am willing, be cleansed." He touched the sick man, probably the first time anyone had touched him since he fell ill. He was healed immediately. The Lord Jesus has compassion on you, too. He will reveal His power by helping you and blessing you.

Today's reading: Jeremiah 6:1-30 · Luke 20:41-47