Today’s scripture: Matthew 8:1-4 (ESV-text and audio) (KJV) (The Message) What might God be saying to me?
My thoughts (Melody Merida):
There is something a bit odd about this story of Jesus and the leper. Is it just me, or is it strange to say to Jesus “If you are willing, you can make me clean?”
It reminds me of when I used to really, really want something from my mother. I would start my request with a compliment about her unparalleled wisdom which would lead to what I thought was a well-articulated argument to support my need of the requested item and the big finish would be unbridled, shameless begging. No matter how I tweaked this process, it seemed my mother rarely was willing in the way I’d hoped she would be. But Jesus responded very differently than my mother.
Let’s remember that as this story unfolded, Jesus was being hounded by crowds eager to hear his message and be healed. Not just on this day, but every day. He was one of the early victims of paparazzi. It would have been so easy for Jesus to ignore the comment of the leper and just go about his business. I mean, did he have to be willing all the time?! Instead, he graciously signified that he was indeed willing to heal. That response just confirms for me that Jesus was so cool!
I wonder if I would have been willing the way Jesus was. Let’s face it: there are people in my community around me everyday who are hoping for my willingness to help in some way. But most of the time the message I give is that I’m not willing at all.
This message can be delivered either by something I say or something I don’t say. I can pretend that I don’t see the hurt around me, or I can outright refuse to get involved, or I can go one step further and become a part of a painful experience for someone else. All of these speak to my selfish unwillingness.
My prayer is that I become more like Jesus by just being willing. It seems to me that if I’m willing to love, then God will give me the strength to meet the need. My job is to say, like Jesus did, “I am willing” and rely on God to guide my next step. If I am willing then God can without a doubt use me. Now that is cool!
Thought for the day: Am I willing? God, forgive my selfishness unwillingness and replace it with an open willing heart. Use me to be love in your world! Amen.
We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to get started, consider the guidelines on the How to Pray page.