Clean

And a leper approached and bowed low before him, saying, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.” He stretched out his hand and touched him saying, “I am willing. Be clean!” Immediately his leprosy was cleansed.

Matthew 8:2-4

The entire theology of honor is encapsulated in these three brief verses. Editors constantly urge writers to reduce their words; show, don’t tell. Be succinct, yet powerful. I rarely succeed.

But Matthew did. Today his book is still a bestseller. All we need to know about honor and shame is here in this tiny tale:

It is Jesus’ desire to make us clean, and He has all power to do so.

Clean is another word for honor.

My soul snags on this story, for I have known the darkness of shame. Like a club no one chooses to be in, we members recognize each other because we share a common, quiet knowing. We understand what it meant for that man to draw near to Jesus. What it could have cost him had it been anyone other than the Redeemer promised in Isaiah 61.

The courage of the leper is astounding. Somehow, he is brave enough to approach Jesus. This may be the hardest part for those who shame has ostracized.

Lower, lower, lower he goes, face to the ground, where he believes he belongs. Then this valiant leper pulls out one more gobsmacking dose of courage: He uses his voice.

Shame silences. Many walk wounded, wordless. Like so many books, covers tightly shut, their stories remain hidden inside, unread.

But not this guy. Something about Jesus made him take the risk. There is a chilling pause between the question… and the answer.

In reality, it may have been only a nanosecond, but for the one with incurable uncleanness, accustomed to shunning, resigned to a position of shame, the pause is no less terrifying than leaping off a cliff.

The readiness of the Healer is immediate.

I am willing. Be clean!

The Greek word thelō for willing means want to, wish, or desire.

What a paradox! The Most Holy God invites the dirty to draw near. He is more than willing; it is His deep desire, His wish to make us clean. #insteadofshamehonor Share on X

Glory to God, for He has come to rescue us as He promised! He is exactly what He promised to be.

Come, you dirty. Come, you shamed. Muster the courage to draw near and ask the Healer for exactly what you need. He is the God of Immediately, the God of Instead. Jesus gives beauty instead of ashes, hope instead of despair, and honor instead of shame.

What are you waiting for?

Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean. Amen.

@audreycfrank

Image by Arek Socha from Pixabay