Unfathomable Grace

He was a troubled fellow who had exhausted all other earthly possibilities. He could not help himself. There was none who could fix what ailed him. He was in an impossible situation.

However, he had heard of Jesus compassion and power. He knew what Jesus could do for troubled and tormented souls if he desired.

He also knew the Miracle Man was coming to his neighborhood. The Messiah was close at hand.

Therefore, the physically, ceremonially, and spiritually unclean man made his way to the place where Jesus was ministering. Once there, he humbly approached the Messiah; he took a knee. However, notice also his boldness. Flagrantly, he violated all the social and ecclesiastical norms and regulations. He troubled the crowd who had gathered to hear the Great Teacher. He offended the religious elite who would never tolerate such ceremonially unclean folk in their presence. He even risked offending Jesus and the Twelve. However, he cared not. He was desperate. He was willing to risk it all. In regards to this man, his need, and his supplication, there was no “playing it safe” on that day.

“When Jesus came down from the mountain, great crowds followed him. And behold, a leper came to him and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, if you will, you can make me clean.” And Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, “I will; be clean.” And immediately his leprosy was cleansed. And Jesus said to him, “See that you say nothing to anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a proof to them.””    (Matthew‬ ‭8:1-4‬)

And what was the result of this leper’s humble and bold supplication? Jesus heard his request, physically touched the unclean man, healed him, and sent him forth to worship. Jesus honored his radical prayer.

Friends, let us be equally bold in our supplication. Let us not be timid or bashful. Let us not “play it safe” in our prayer. Let us take our incurable sin and impossible situations to the Master of the Universe.

We are lepers. We are so thoroughly sick with sin. What ought we do to with our unclean condition? Let’s bring our putrid selves to Jesus. He delights to cleans and purify.

We are leprous parents and grandparents with sick descendants. We have successful passed along our sin nature to our offspring. What ought we to do? Let us radically march right up to Jesus, fall on our faces, and intercede for our sin-sick descendants. He is the God who loves to save believers and their children. Let’s boldly remind him of his gracious promise and pray our children and grandchildren to repentance.

We are leprous fathers, mothers, brothers, and sisters, dwelling together in sick churches. There are none pure and healthy. All have horrible issues underneath the surface. Sure, we may look fair when all dressed up, but underneath our exterior facade we know we are not W.E.L.L.

• We are not those who Worship rightly.
• Evangelism is not our Great Commitment.
• Loving one another is something we sporadically do.
• And Learning is something in which we have lost interest.

Oh church leaders, fall on your knees and bring your people with you.

Then look at our leprous land. Our “one nation under God” is tremendously idolatrous as it forsakes the true God and chases after others. Sickness is seen in every political party, in every region, in every state, in every city, in every neighborhood, in every social class, in every cultural clique. We deserve the damnation declared against Nineveh. We deserve the wrath of God poured out against Sodom and Israel. Never has there been a people so blessed and so pitiful. Oh how we need to bring our leprous land before the King of kings.

And our world, is it not groaning in sin?: Countries are divided within. Nations are warring without. In this global era, the cancer in a part is certain to spread and affect the whole. The Lord of the Nations is desperately needed.

So what are we going to do about ourselves, our families, our churches, our land, and our globe? Friends, let us not “play it safe” with our prayer. Individually and corporately, let’s bring our unclean and wretched filth to Jesus. Let’s walk right up like we belong in his presence. Let’s fall on our knees and interrupt whatever is going on. Let’s make our honorable requests and then watch him work. Prayer is powerful and effective. Consider:

• He prays for us while on his throne.
• He sends his Holy Spirit to pray within and for us.
• He teaches us what to pray for.
• He teaches us how to pray.
• He commands us to pray.
• He delights to hear us pray.
• He promises to hear us pray.
• He promises to work as we pray.
• He promises a blessing after we pray.

Friends, you and yours are sick. However, there is very good news — the Miracle Man is close at hand. He is in your room; he is in your heart. Go to him humbly. Go to him boldly. And go to him with notebook in hand. Why? Because you need to write down your bold supplications so you have a good record of his gracious answers. He loves bold prostitutes touching his feet. He loves bold centurions interceding for their children. He loves bold and bloody women grabbing his garment. He loves bold convicts asking for paradise. He loves bold and foolish disciples reconciling with him. He loves bold lepers requesting his assistance. Jesus is ready to touch you right now. Friend, will you really continue to “play it safe?”