UPDATED Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought was first posted on August 15, 2013.

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“If You Only Knew What You Can Ask from the Son”

Luke 5:12-14

While Jesus was in one of the towns, a man came along who was covered with leprosy. When he saw Jesus, he fell with his face to the ground and begged him, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.” 13 Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” And immediately the leprosy left him. 14 Then Jesus ordered him, “Don’t tell anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them.”

I wonder how much the leper knew of Jesus.  His knowledge of Christ most likely came from others as “the news about him spread throughout the surrounding area” (Luke 4:37).  His request was simple yet deep— “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.”  Certainly we can never fully know and understand God’s will behind every circumstance we face in life.  Yet have we pondered to consider His will over the problem we may be facing?  In prayer, we need to just rely on His mercy and will.  

Two things should be noted here: The context in which this event took place was still under the Old Covenant.  Jesus was being consistent with what was written in the Law.  The second thing was that until Jesus faced the cross, His true identity would be misunderstood as just a miracle worker; that is one reason, therefore, the healed man was told not to tell anyone about what just happened.  Only through the cross, the inspired New Testament and the illumination of the Holy Spirit are we able to fully understand His identity, Jesus the Son of God.  Until His blood redeems us, we would never be able to see Him for who He is.  

What about now?  What keeps you from telling others of what He has done for you?  Jesus said, “I am willing . . . immediately the leprosy left him” (v. 13).  If you cannot think of anything to share, maybe you have never asked Jesus for anything (James 4:2)?  If you only knew what you ask from the Son!  Any request you might have tonight, take it to the Lord, since nothing can hinder Him from reaching out to you—not difficult circumstances, impossible situations, or incurable diseases.

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, in this new year increase my knowledge of who Your Son truly is, so that I may obey him more fully.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Isaiah 8-9