Are you willing?

"A man suffering from a virulent skin- disease came to him and pleaded on his knees saying, 'If you are willing, you can cleanse me.' Feeling sorry for him, Jesus stretched out his hand, touched him and said to him, 'I am willing. Be cleansed." (Mark 1: 40 – 41)

Today, some people with "virulent skin disease," that is, serious problems may come to us and plead, 'If you are willing, you can help me.' What will be our reaction? It sounds so simple for them to believe that all that we need to help them is "if we are willing." But in reality, that is all that we need to be Jesus to others. If we are willing, then we can ask Jesus to work through us to help people with "virulent skin disease."

The beggar who stopped Peter and John as they entered the temple, asked for alms. Peter and John were willing to help but did not have money to offer the beggar. But Jesus worked through them to heal the beggar of lameness, thereby delivering a greater benefit than money.

Lord Jesus, open our hearts to your grace so that we can be willing to stretch out our hands in your name to heal.