Christ's Willingness to Save Grotesque Sinners

Leprosy was a devastating affliction. It rendered a person unclean and therefore unfit for worship, unfit for the temple and unfit for fellowship with the holy people of God. Sin is like that. It makes us unfit for God's presence, for heaven and the society of saints. The leper had no hope except Christ. There was no physician who could heal him and no way to clean himself up. As sinners, we have no hope of salvation and cleansing, except by Christ. The leper was humble and a model for anyone who would approach Christ. He kneeled and begged and did not presume. He said, "If you are willing, you can make me clean." Jesus' reply was glorious and sweet. "I am willing." Even though God elect whomever He will to salvation, it is still true that for many people, the reason they are not saved is because they will not come to Christ. Christ said in John 5, "You are unwilling to come to me that you may have life." Every sinner needs to hear the words: "I am willing. Come to me."