“You can make me clean.” Mark 1:40 (NIV)
A man with leprosy came to Jesus and said, “If you are willing, you can make me clean.” Jesus said, “I am willing. Be clean.” This interaction shows how you can receive what Christ offers.
Faith believes in Christ
“You can make me clean” (Mark 1:40). This man has confidence in the ability of Christ. All that Christ is and all He promises becomes yours by faith. Faith is like a hand open to receive what God promises.
Faith rests on the ability of Christ
“You can make me clean” (Mark 1:40). Faith recognizes what Christ is able to do. Faith is not your ability to trust. Faith is recognizing that Christ is trustworthy.
Faith involves trusting Christ for yourself
“You can make me clean” (Mark 1:40). His faith was more than a general belief that Christ can heal lepers. He believed that Christ could cleanse him. “You can do this for me!”
Maybe you have seen Christ change someone else’s life. You have a Christian friend and you see that Christ has done great things for her. So you believe that Christ can change people’s lives. Faith is believing that Christ can do the same for you.
Maybe you know someone who had been struggling with a particular sin. He was trapped, unable to get free. But Christ has given him power and victory. You have seen what Christ can do for others. Faith means believing that Christ can do the same for you.
Are you ready to receive what Jesus offers to you today? If not, ask Him for the faith you need to believe in Him, rest in Him, and trust Him for yourself.
