A Witness to the World

Jesus, moved with compassion, stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, “I am willing; be cleansed.”
Mark 1:41 (NKJV)

A leper approached Jesus, begging Him to heal him and expressing faith in His ability to do so. Jesus, feeling compassion, reached out and touched the leper, saying He was willing to heal him. Instantly, the leprosy vanished from the man. Jesus instructed him sternly not to tell anyone but to show himself to the priest and follow the required cleansing rituals.

One encounter with Jesus and this man is now able to move freely again in society. He can go to church. He can be around friends. He can see family. But the only remaining thing he has yet to do before enjoying any of these things is to go be examined by the priest in Jerusalem.

That priest would examine his body and ask him some pointed questions. And after examination, he would have to conclude and declare that the leper has been healed. This man would then excitedly and no doubt gratefully rush to bring an offering in obedience to the law of Moses.

Can you all imagine how simple the former leper’s answers were when he appeared before the priest and how confounded the priest must have been?

“How were you healed of leprosy?”

“Jesus healed me.”

“And how did He heal you?”

“Sir, He just touched me. He made a declaration and all I can tell you is that my leprosy immediately dissipated.”

“You mean to tell me you ran into this man Jesus, and all He did was touch you and you were healed?”

“Yep. No magic tricks. No ointment splashed. No incantations uttered. I went to Jesus. I asked Him if He was willing. He said that He was, He touched me, and I was clean.”

The priest would then have to acknowledge that Jesus no doubt has spiritual power because this man was previously covered with leprosy and now there is no evidence of it. And it really does prove that what Jesus does for us—the changes He affects in us, the healing He extends to us, the power He transfers to us—is no doubt for our benefit, but never without also being a witness to others of His authenticity, His power, and His goodness.