Epiphany 6

Mark 1:40-45
Come clean

Most people want to be clean, at least physically. Consider the amount of soap and detergents sold annually. Eighty-five percent of the American people have bathtubs. We want clean bodies and hair, clean clothes, and we want to live in clean houses. Are we as interested in soul cleanliness? Sin is associated with dirt: dirty jokes, filthy minds, polluted values, cesspools of iniquity. Isaiah described himself as a sinner “A man of unclean lips” In contrast, God is perfectly pure. Christ is spotless of sin. God demands clean hands and a pure heart in those who come into His presence, leprosy is a sign of sin. Healing is cleansing. The leper called himself “unclean”. Today we deal with the cleansing of sin, the cure for spiritual leprosy.

How to come clean to God –

1. Realize the need for cleansing – listen to verse 40 of our text. “ And a leper came to Him, beseeching Him and falling on his knees before Him, and saying to Him, "If You are willing, you can make me clean." This miracle teaches us, how to apply ourselves to Christ. We are to simply come as this leper did. In His great need, he sought out Christ.

With great humility, this leper came beseeching him, and kneeling down to him (v. 40). This man, as sick and as dirty as he was realized that he had come into the presence of the Savior Himself.

This man’s action teaches us that those who would receive grace and mercy from Christ, must ascribe honor and glory to Christ, and approach Him with humility and reverence. What is your attitude toward Christ? Is it one of humility? With humbleness of heart, this man approached the Savior in his time of need.

2. Desire to be clean - “beseeching…kneeling” He bowed before Him. v. 40 Notice what is happening here. What we believe of the power of Christ we must bring home to our particular case. This leper’s particular case was he needed to be cleansed. That need spurred him into action. He went to the only one who could help. He went to Jesus and in faith; he said to the Savior “You can do this for me!”

Is Jesus just one among many that we might try to consult or is He the only person to whom we turn in every need? Jesus says so plainly "Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and you shall find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My load is light." (Matthew 11:28-30) Find you rest in Jesus today for His yoke is easy and His burden is light. In your need come to Jesus He will sustain you He will uphold you.

3. Accept the cleansing – listen to verse 41 of our text.”… moved with compassion, He stretched out His hand, and touched him, and said to him, "I am willing; be cleansed." Jesus’ willingness to cleanse is based on pity – . Christ's power was put forth by a word, to signify the way He would ordinarily work spiritual cures; He sends His word and He heals. Psalm 107:20 tells us this very thing! “He sent forth His Word, and healed them…” This is what we should expect of Jesus. He can do no other. No one can work like Him!

Jesus has the ability to cleanse – Listen to what Mark says in verse 42 of our text. “And immediately the leprosy left him and he was cleansed.” Miracle after miracle we see the same thing happening repeatedly. Someone’s in trouble, Jesus helps, and the people are blessed! Jesus performed these miracles for a reason and a purpose…that the people would believe and put their trust in Him.

Today the Savior calls us to place our faith in His words and His works. Trust Him. Hold Him to His Word. He is able to save you. He is able to perform a miracle in your life. "Call upon Him in every trouble. HE will deliver you and you will honor Him". (Psalm 50:15)