If the Lord wants
(Matthew 8:1-4)
When Jesus descended from the mountain after teaching the crowds, a man with leprosy approached Him. The people around were both embarrassed and upset. Because the man with leprosy openly revealed himself, even though he had to be completely separated from society.
1. Grace, not Authority
The leper knew that he was a cursed sinner, and he was also convinced that Jesus was the only One who could cleanse him. However, he did not think that Jesus was obligated to heal him. He truly recognized himself as a lowly one who could not demand anything from this noble figure, so he humbly confessed, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.”
2. Rely on the Mercy of the Lord
Yes, it is true. The Lord can do as He pleases if He ‘wants’ it, but He is not obligated to act according to our desires just because “I” want it. The attitude sinners should have before the Lord is not to assert our rights as if they have been entrusted with something, but to rely on His mercy with a repentant heart.
3. The Procedure to be Humbly Followed
The Lord cleansed the man with leprosy, and then commanded him to immediately go to the priest, and show his body, and offer the gift that Moses had commanded as testimony to them. This was because, before the news of his healing spread, He intended to let the man follow the official procedures so that he would safely enter the community of faith. Likewise, the Lord has fulfilled all legitimate measures, but He does not want us to enjoy rights one-sidedly without taking any action but show us as those reconciled to God by living a church life according to the procedure. Let us not assert rights we should claim to the devil before God and church one-sidedly, but rely on the Lord’s mercy with humble attitude.
April 23, 2023
Overseer Sung-Hyun Kim
