Filled with compassion, Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. Be clean! Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cured.  Mark 1: 41-42

Have you enjoyed the nice weather yet? Depending on where you live, it may have only had a few days so far, but there’s more ahead. Every year I tell myself I won’t miss the beach weather, but then I do. This life is to be enjoyed, so I’ve got to get out there! No excuses for not going in 2019!

In our verse today the man with leprosy came to Jesus, begging him on his knees for healing. He asked Jesus if he would be willing to heal him. The opportunity to be made whole was right before him. It would be foolish not to ask Jesus to heal. Asking the one who created us to heal is like asking the sun to shine.

Jesus is the giver of life and wholeness, so why did this man feel unworthy of healing? Some versions of the Bible say in this verse that Jesus was indignant rather than compassionate. Jesus was feeling annoyance at what was perceived as unfair treatment, according to the dictionary. 

Jesus wasn’t annoyed with the man or his question, but at the bondage of the enemy. The enemy of our souls will go to great lengths to discourage our faith. He wants us to be filled with unbelief and anger against God. Have you ever felt this way because of your circumstances?

All of us have walked through discouragement at one time or another. If we keep our eyes looking up at our Heavenly Father we will be reassured that he is working in our situation.He isn’ t the one to hold back blessings. He wants to pour out good things on his children. 

I don’t know about you, but I can get in God’s way. I try to figure out how he might change my situation, and then get discouraged  when He doesn’t do what I expected. I have found he’s capable of making my circumstance just right without my help.

 As we often do, this man runs home and does the opposite of what Jesus told him. He tells everyone about his healing. This puts Jesus in a difficult place because now he must stay out of the cities and villages or be trampled by the crowds.

This man probably didn't’ know why Jesus told him to be quiet, and the excitement was too much for him. We can identify with this average man as we are likely to do similar things. Those who are slow to speak often please God the most.