I Will; Be Thou Clean

The Story

In Jesus’ day, leprosy was more than a disease. It was a sentence of loneliness. Anyone with leprosy had to live outside the town, away from family and friends. They had to wear torn clothes and call out “Unclean!” so no one would come near. No one touched them. Ever.

One day a man with leprosy came straight up to Jesus. He broke every rule to do it. He knelt down and begged, “If thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.”

He had no doubt Jesus could heal him. What he didn’t know was whether Jesus would want to.

The Bible says Jesus was “moved with compassion.” Then He did the unthinkable. He “put forth his hand, and touched him.”

Jesus could have healed him with a word from a safe distance. He had done that before. But this man hadn’t felt a human touch in who knows how long.

“I will; be thou clean.”

Immediately the leprosy was gone, and he was clean.

Reflection