Mark 1:40–45 ‘Jesus was indignant. He reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” (v41)
Jesus is said to be indignant on two occasions in the Gospels: when the disciples stopped children approaching Him (Mark 10:14), and here when the man with leprosy approached Him.
His indignation (could be translated anger) can be read in a few ways: that the leper wasn’t sure He would be willing to heal him, or that He was angry at how sin had messed this man’s life up, or maybe that He knew the man would ignore His later request to keep quiet.
Either way, Jesus expresses His willingness, and a miracle occurs. Indeed, throughout the Gospels there is only one occasion when Jesus doesn’t intervene when He is asked, and that’s because He intends for Lazarus to be raised to life four days later as proof that He is the Resurrection and the Life.
It’s a wonderful miracle and yes Jesus is always angry at the way sin affects our lives, but the healed man doesn’t do as he is asked and blabs the news to all who would listen, meaning that Jesus’s popularity makes it tricky to move around easily.
Anyone praying today for healing does so to this same Jesus who has lost none of His power.
We can speculate as to why most of us have rather less than a 100% success rate, but rest assured that we come to a Jesus who is willing and wills the very best good in any and every situation of those we pray for.
When we see healing, we are understandably keen to tell all and sundry, as it gives glory to Jesus, but it’s worth checking with Him first. It would be sad if, having been part of a miracle, Jesus ended up being indignant with us.
A Prayer To Make:
Thank You Jesus for Your goodness and love. I trust You today to lead me in Your ways. Amen.
An Action To Take:
Prayerfully look for opportunities to invite Jesus to heal those in need today.
Scripture To Consider:
Ps. 140; Zech. 1:1–6; Matt. 26:6–13; Mark 10:13–16
