Willingness - Matthew 8

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Jesus Heals a Man With Leprosy

8 When Jesus came down from the mountainside, large crowds followed him. 2 A man with leprosy came and knelt before him and said, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.” 3 Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” Immediately he was cleansed of his leprosy.
In the 12 step program there is a concept called "willingness".  Willingness is doing whatever it takes to stay clean and sober.  There are people who aren't willing to get well.  The may have the ability or resources to get well but they choose not to use them.  Of course in the 12 step program it is a willingness to work the steps.  A willingness to work the program.  I am not talking about a prideful willingness, but a willingness that surrenders everything to God. A willingness to take action to get well. 
Today a leper asks Jesus if he is willing to make him clean.  Jesus answers him directly.  He says, "I am willing". Then he reaches out and touches the leper's withered body.  In Jesus' day the people mistakenly thought that by touching a leper you could get their disease.  But Jesus willingly touches the man and heals him.  Throughout the whole chapter Jesus WILLINGLY heals all who come to him.  
Jesus was willing to come down from heaven and become a man. Jesus was willing to be tried for a crime he did not commit. Jesus was willing to forgive those who put him on the cross. Jesus was willing to endure the horrible suffering of the cross.  Why was Jesus willing to do all of this for you?  Because he loves you.  No greater love is there than this that a man lay down his life for his friends.  Jesus loves you unconditionally.
Jesus was willing to lay down his life for you.  Are you willing to lay down your life for him? 

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