"Suddenly, a man with leprosy approached him and knelt before him. 'Lord,' the man said, 'if you are willing, you can heal me and make me clean.'
"Jesus reached out and touched him. 'I am willing,' he said. 'Be healed!' And instantly the leprosy disappeared. Then Jesus said to him, 'Don't tell anyone about this. Instead, go to the priest and let him examine you. Take along the offering required in the law of Moses for those who have been healed of leprosy. This will be a public testimony that you have been cleansed.'"
This leper had faith that Jesus could heal him, but he was not so sure Jesus would want to. Jesus did want to. And he not only healed the man's leprosy, he healed him all the way by restoring the possibility of rejoining the community. (Lepers were outcasts.) Jesus knew the man needed more than physical healing. He needed to be restored to the community. Jesus always heals not only what we think we need, but everything else involved. Perhaps this leper never dreamed he'd ever be in community again. Jesus gives more than we dare ask for or imagine.
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