The King Who Touches the Untouchable
An open hand reaching into the light, a quiet picture of the willing touch of Jesus.
Devotional Credit: eManna by Witness Lee
Photo Credit: Unsplash
Matthew tells a tender story. A leper kneels near Jesus and says, if You are willing, You can cleanse me. Jesus reaches out, touches him, and answers, I am willing. Be clean. In a world that kept lepers at a distance, the Lord moves toward the one who feels disqualified. His touch changes the man’s present, and his future place among God’s people.
eManna helps us see the picture behind the picture. In Scripture, leprosy often points to the deeper problem of the human heart, our independence and resistance toward God. We can dress it up as discipline or willpower, but it still lives at arm’s length from the Savior. Jesus does not keep His distance. He comes near. He is willing. He cleanses, not only to remove shame, but to welcome us into the life of His kingdom.
This is not an invitation to beat ourselves up. It is an invitation to move from self effort to union with Jesus. Where I would exclude myself, He includes. Where I would try to scrub my stains, He washes. Where I would hide, He draws near and makes me new. Cleansing is not a project I manage. It is grace arriving with a hand on my shoulder and a new heart within me.
So today, I want to stay close to the One who says, I am willing. When old patterns tug, I can turn to Him, not to rules. When I feel unworthy, I can remember His hand already reached my life. This is the life of abiding, simple, honest, and free.
Journal Entry – Voice of the Holy Spirit Through Scripture
I come near to you. I stretch out My hand where you feel untouchable. I am willing to cleanse and to include. You were brought out of darkness into the kingdom of My beloved Son. By My mercy you are made alive together with Christ.
I remind you who you are. Your old person was co crucified with Him, so that you might walk in newness of life. The life you now live, you live by faith in the Son of God. If anyone is in Jesus, there is a new creation. I wash you with the blood of the Lamb. I purify your conscience. I invite you to draw near with a true heart, fully assured.
I teach you to abide. Walk by Me, not by the flesh. Keep your mind where Christ is seated. Let the word of Jesus dwell in you richly. My kindness leads you to honest turning. I give you a clean heart and a steadfast spirit. I am willing, and I make you willing. From this union, love flows to the people around you.
Scripture references: Matthew 8:2 to 3, Mark 1:40 to 42, Luke 5:12 to 13, Numbers 12:1 to 10, 2 Kings 5:1, 2 Kings 5:9 to 14, Leviticus 13:45 to 46, Colossians 1:13 to 14, Ephesians 2:4 to 6, Romans 6:6 to 11, Galatians 2:20, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Hebrews 9:14, Hebrews 10:22, Galatians 5:16, Colossians 3:1 to 3, Colossians 3:16, Romans 2:4, Ezekiel 36:26 to 27, Philippians 2:13.
Real-Life Analogy
Removing sticky label residue from a jar works best with a little oil. The oil seeps in and loosens what stubborn scrubbing cannot shift. Then the mess wipes away without damage. The indwelling Holy Spirit works like that. He moves within, not to scold, but to free. He applies the finished work of Jesus to places that feel stuck, and what once clung to us releases without white knuckles or shame.
Try this today. Before you reply to a hard email or enter a tense room, pause for ten slow seconds. Say, Lord, I trust You to work within me and make Your willingness real through me right now. Then step forward expecting His gentleness and honesty to show in your tone and choices.
Prayer of Confidence
Father, thank You that Your Son came near and touched what I could not fix. Thank You that in Jesus I am cleansed, welcomed, and set in Your kingdom. Thank You for the Holy Spirit who lives in me to make this cleansing practical in my day. I receive this ordinary day as a place to walk clean, to love freely, and to serve without fear. Lord, I trust You to express Your willing heart through me in every conversation and task.