Some of us wake up already sure of what Jesus can do. We’ve read the stories. We know He healed and forgave and raised the dead. The harder question, the one that sits on the edge of the bed with us, is quieter: but would He want to, for me?
Mark tells us about a man who carried exactly that question to Jesus.
“A leper came to him, begging him, kneeling down to him, and saying to him, ‘If you want to, you can make me clean.’” (Mark 1:40)
Living outside the camp
To understand what this man risked, it helps to know how he had been living. The law said of someone with that kind of skin disease, “He shall dwell alone. His dwelling shall be outside of the camp” (Leviticus 13:46). He wasn’t only sick. He was cut off from worship, from his family’s table, from every ordinary hand on the shoulder.
He would have gone months, maybe years, without anyone touching him on purpose.
So when he came to Jesus, he didn’t come with a demand. He came on his knees, and his words show where the real ache was. He had no doubt about Jesus’ power: you can. What he couldn’t be sure of was Jesus’ heart: if you want to.
Maybe that’s where you are this morning. You believe God is strong. You’re just not sure He’s glad to see you, not after this week, not with what you know about yourself.
Moved, then reaching
Mark slows down for the next line, and I’m so glad he did:
“Being moved with compassion, he stretched out his hand, and touched him, and said to him, ‘I want to. Be made clean.’” (Mark 1:41)
Look at the order. First Jesus was moved. Something stirred in Him at the sight of this man. Then He stretched out his hand. Then He touched him. Only after all that did He speak.
Jesus could have healed him from across the road with a word. He did that for other people. But this man didn’t only need clean skin; he needed to be touched again. So Jesus reached into the very place everyone else stepped away from. In that moment the uncleanness didn’t spread to Jesus. His cleanness spread to the man.
That’s still the direction His mercy runs. The things you’re ashamed of don’t make Him pull back His hand. They’re where He reaches first.
“I want to”
Then the answer to the man’s whole question, in three words: I want to.
Not “I suppose so.” Not “If you promise to do better.” Just I want to. Jesus took the man’s own uncertain phrase and gave it back to him as a settled fact.
“When he had said this, immediately the leprosy departed from him and he was made clean.” (Mark 1:42)
If you’ve been wondering whether Jesus actually wants to forgive you, help you, or simply be near you, this is His answer. The heart that was moved for a man kneeling in the dust is the same heart turned toward you today. You don’t have to talk Him into compassion. You only have to come.
Bring the “if”
You don’t have to tidy up your doubt before you pray. The man brought his “if” with him, and Jesus didn’t scold him for it. He answered it.
So bring yours. Say it out loud if that helps: Lord, if You want to. Then let Him answer the way He always has, by reaching first.
Here’s a prayer to begin your Thursday:
Lord Jesus, I believe You can. Some mornings I’m less sure You want to, for me. Thank You that You were moved with compassion for a man everyone else avoided, and that You touched him before You said a word. Reach into the places I keep at a distance. Make me clean, and let me hear You say, “I want to.” Then send me into this day as someone who has been touched by You.
Whatever you’re carrying out of bed this morning, you’re not outside the camp anymore. His hand is already stretched out toward you.