Have you ever felt unworthy to come close to Jesus? Maybe you’ve thought, I’ve messed up too much. I’m not good enough. Jesus wouldn’t want me near Him. If so, you’re not alone. Many of us wrestle with these feelings, wondering if we should even approach Him.
Even Peter, one of Jesus’s closest disciples, struggled with this. When he witnessed Jesus’s power, he fell to his knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” (Luke 5:8). But in Luke 5:12-16, we meet someone who responded differently—someone who refused to stay away, even when every rule, every expectation, and every voice told him he should.
The Leper Who Drew Near
This man had leprosy, a disease that not only ravaged the body but also destroyed lives. In biblical times, lepers were completely isolated, cast out from society, and forbidden to come near anyone—let alone a teacher like Jesus. He had every reason to stay away.
But instead of keeping his distance, he did something bold. He approached Jesus and called out, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.” (Luke 5:12).
He didn’t know what Jesus would do, but he knew what Jesus could do. And that was enough for him to cry out in faith.
Jesus’s Response: Mercy in Action
What happened next was shocking. Jesus didn’t just acknowledge the man—He touched him. That one touch broke every barrier. It shattered the distance that society had placed between them. And in that moment of mercy, Jesus healed him completely.
This story isn’t just about a physical healing. It’s about what Jesus does for all of us when we feel distant, unworthy, or cast aside.
What About Us?
How do we respond when we feel far from Jesus?
For some of us, shame tells us to keep our distance. Fear convinces us that Jesus won’t welcome us. Life’s struggles leave us feeling too broken to approach Him. But this story reminds us that Jesus is always willing to come close—he will never cast us aside.
The leper’s words challenge us: “Lord, if you are willing...” The truth is, Jesus is always willing. He does not disappoint. He reaches out to the outcast, the broken, the ashamed, and the weary. He is not afraid of our mess, our doubts, or our struggles.
So the question is: Will we dare to draw near?
This week, as we continue our Come With journey, take time to reflect on where you are. Do you feel close to Jesus? Or are you hesitating, unsure if you should approach Him? If so, remember the leper. Remember the mercy of Jesus. And don’t be afraid to say, “Jesus, wait!”
Because when we call out to Him, He never fails to respond.
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Join us this Sunday at Mount Lebanon as we continue our Come With series and explore what it means to step toward Jesus, even when everything in us—or around us—tells us to stay away.
9:30 am @ Mount Lebanon | 4809 N 60th Street
theMountMKE.com