Through The Bible in a Year - June 10, 2026
"When he came down from the mountain, great crowds followed him. And behold, a leper came to him and knelt before him, saying, 'Lord, if you will, you can make me clean.' And Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, 'I will; be clean.' And immediately his leprosy was cleansed." - Matthew 8:1-3
The Sermon on the Mount is over. Jesus has said:
You can't measure up to God's perfect standards
You can't make it up to with your performance
God is going to have to provide some help for you if you are going to know his blessings
And then the Lord Jesus comes down from the mountain.
What happens next to encourage those of us who have just learned that we cannot meet heaven’s standards by earthly abilities? A leper approaches Jesus. In that society, leprosy was seen as the visible manifestation of hidden sin. Lepers were outcasts—unclean, untouchable, condemned.
The leper kneels and says: "Lord, if You will, You can make me clean."
He doesn't say, "I deserve healing." He doesn't say, "I've been good enough." He doesn't say, "I've earned this."
He simply says: "If You will, You can help me."
Then, Jesus stretches out His hand, touches him, and says: "I will. Be clean."
Immediately, the leprosy was cleansed.
Whom does Jesus help? The one who says, "Jesus, You can help me."
What’s the lesson? When we say, “Lord, if you will, you can help me,” then Jesus says, "I will."
Next comes a Roman centurion—an enemy soldier, a foreigner, unworthy. He says, "Lord, I am not worthy to have You come under my roof, but only say the word, and my servant will be healed."
Jesus marvels: "Truly, I tell you, with no one in Israel have I found such faith."
Faith in what? That Jesus can provide for one who is unworthy, who does not deserve it.
Next comes the account of Peter's mother-in-law, sick with fever. In that day, disease could always be explained as a consequence of sin or spiritual weakness. Yet, Jesus not only healed this woman but many more who were sick "to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah: 'He took our illnesses and bore our diseases.'"
Jesus did not run from physical or spiritual weakness, or reject those struggling. He provided his blessing for those who could not provide it for themselves. Why? Because we are all such people. His sermon just exposed the spiritual inadequacies and weakness of every person who desires the blessing of God. His sermon, his presence, and his healing ministry also demonstrated God’s provision for creatures like us who cannot provide what we need by our abilities.
Respond: What's the path to receiving Jesus' help? It’s not complicated. Say…
"Jesus, I need some help." Be honest about your brokenness, your sin, your inability to save yourself.
"I'm not worthy to ask." Humble yourself. You don't deserve His help. You can't earn it. You can only receive it.
"But I believe You can help me." Put your faith in Him—the One who provides for those who cannot provide for themselves.
"So Jesus, will You help me?" Ask. Call out. Kneel before Him and say, "Lord, if You will, You can make me clean."
And when we humble ourselves in that way, He will make us clean and provide as he knows is best for our eternity.
This week, pray this prayer from your heart:
"Jesus, I need some help. I'm not worthy to ask, but I need your mercy. I know that you can provide what is absolutely best for my life here and in eternity, if you will.” Then you know what happens when we pray that way? He will!
Prayer: Lord Jesus, I need your help. I can't measure up to Your perfect standards. I can't qualify for your love with my performance. I am like the leper—unclean, unworthy, unable to save myself. But I believe You can help me. I believe You bore my spiritual illnesses and diseases on the cross. You took the punishment I deserved. So I ask: Lord, if You will, make me clean. Be merciful to me, a sinner. I'm not worthy to ask, but I believe You can and will help me. I put my faith in You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.