Written by Brigitte Straub
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“When He had come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed Him. And behold, a leper came and worshiped Him saying, ‘Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.’”. (Mathew 8:1-2, NKJV)
In the ancient world, leprosy was a terrible, destructive disease – and it still is in some parts of the world. According to Jewish customs, one had to keep six feet from a leper. If the wind was blowing toward a person from a leper, they had to keep 150 feet away. The only thing more defiling than contact with a leper was contact with a dead body.
Jesus had just come off the mountaintop with his disciples having spent much time teaching them. Multitudes (meaning tens of thousands) began to follow Jesus, and in the midst of all this, a leper came out from the crowd and worshiped Him.
This leper was unique. In desperate need to come in contact with Jesus he somehow was able to overcome his many discouragements and reach out for the only One that could give Him any hope to a hopeless condition.
I’ve often wondered what it took for him to worship Jesus while in that condition. He hadn’t yet been healed, nor did he have a promise of healing. He worshiped in spite of his circumstances and made himself vulnerable in a crowd of people that deemed him dirty, diseased and unclean.
He was hungry for a touch from God, however, I am convinced he worshiped Jesus not because of what he could get from him, but because he recognized Jesus for who He was.
“Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean. Then Jesus put out His hand and touched him, saying, ‘I am willing; be cleansed.’ Immediately his leprosy was cleansed. (v. 2-3)
God desires to touch us and takes delight in bringing us healing. Our desperation for Him, like the leper who left the crowd, usually manifests itself through bold and extravagant action.
God always honors faith and is moved by our worship. Sometimes it takes leaving the place we have lived in for so long, and stepping out in faith no matter what others say so we can attain the promises of God on our lives.
Father, Your word says that I can approach Your throne of grace with boldness. In times when I am embarrassed to come to you or fearful to follow because others might mock me for it, remind me that your invitation to come always stands. Draw me close to You. Amen
Question: How will you worship God today?
Brigitte Straub
Brigitte Straub is a wife and mother of four children. She currently resides in Maryland where her husband continues to serve in the Marine Corps. She enjoys reading, journaling, singing and playing the piano.
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