Luke 5:12-14  Luke shares with a powerful example of Jesus displaying His power, authority , willingness, purpose and mission.. 

Jesus meets the man who is "full of leprosy".  This man "fell on his face" before Jesus and said, "Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean."  This man took a chance and made the most of this opportunity to come into Jesus' presence.. in his uncleanness, in his desperation, in faith and in humility.   He "implored" Jesus to heal him.. asking, but appealing to the will of Jesus.. he was asking Jesus to be willing to do what he so desperately desired. 

Jesus, ever so gracious answered, "I am willing; be cleansed."  Jesus desired to help this man.. He delighted to heal him. He purposed to heal him and He even "stretched out His hand and touched him.."

The other night at our evening Bible study we sang the old hymn, "What a Friend we have in Jesus" and the words and tune have been lingering in my mind, especially the first verse where it says, "Oh, what peace we often forfeit, Oh, what needless pain we bear, All because we do not carry, everything to God in prayer."  Philippians 4:6 is referenced in our hymnals for this song.. "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God... "  

This passage of the healing of the man "full of leprosy".. his humble plea for Christ to be willing to heal him.. the compassion of Jesus to touch him.. to willingly.. purposefully.. happily to cleanse him.. makes me think that this man would sing out with a mighty voice.. "What a friend I have in Jesus!"

We have such a friend when we have come to know Jesus as our Lord and Savior.. He is our Friend that is closer than a brother.. He is our Friend who will never leave or forsake us.  He is our Friend who will guard our hearts and minds.  He is our Friend to whom we may come with our every need.  We do not have to forfeit our peace or bear needless pain.. we do not have to be anxious or afraid.. for we have a Friend to whom we can come, like the leper, and find that Jesus is willing to hear our pleas. 

Father in heaven, help us to remember that we have such a Friend in Jesus.. because You have sent Him to be our Lord.  He has all authority. He has all power. He is willing to be our Healer, our Provider, our Help and our Living Hope.  He is willing to forgive our sins and to restore us, make us strong, firm and steadfast, because You , the God of all grace have called us into Your eternal glory in Christ. ( I Peter 5:10)  Thank You, Father. In Christ Jesus we pray, amen.