If Thou Wilt Thou Canst Make Me Clean

In our text, a leper comes to the Savior and cries out, "If thou wilt, thou canst make me clean."

Here was a man with strong faith in Christ's power, and an understanding that it is God's will, and not man's, that is the deciding factor in salvation.

Leprosy is a strong metaphor for sin. God sometimes compares the uncleanness of sin with diseases of the flesh.

Before a man can be healed of sickness or sin, he must see his hopeless condition. Yet men will deny or minimize the uncleanness of their sin. We must preach God's law to sinners, and show them their guiltiness and the wrath ordained against them.

This poor leper came to Jesus, not the law. The Law could only condemn his leprosy - it could never suggest a method of healing. But the Savior has the power to heal lepers and to forgive sin!

Leprosy is like the sin that binds us. A leper can do nothing to obey the law that condemns it. So too we all have sin that controls us and that we cannot escape.

Most amazing is that Christ touched this polluted man when He healed him. So too the Savior comes into contact with sinners. Indeed, He was made sin for us.

The touch of the leper did not make Christ unclean - rather it cleansed the poor leper. So too the imputation of our sin to Christ does not pollute the Savior - rather it cleanses lost men!

This man was healed instantly. The works of obedience that Christ commanded him to perform were a testimony to his healing, and not its cause.

So too our works can never contribute to our justification. We are declared righteous, and good works follow as the fruit of redemption.

Christ's death proves He will save sinners! Hallelujah!