My alma mater’s mission statement says: Wartburg College challenges and nurtures students for lives of leadership and service as a spirited expression of their faith and learning.

Lately, I’ve found myself reframing that in a more personal way: God challenges and nurtures me for a life of leadership and service as a lived-out expression of my faith and learning.

Over the past several months, that’s been real! Not polished and definitely not perfect. But real. There have been moments in this past season of life where I’ve felt a lot like the leper. Not physically sick—but internally wrestling. I’ve felt isolated in some of the decisions I’ve made. I’ve felt unworthy of the role I’m in. Like a messy person couldn’t possibly be used to further something meaningful.

That’s where we find this man in Mark 1:40-45—feeling isolated, unworthy, and unclean. He comes to Jesus and says, “If you are willing, you can heal me and make me clean.” He doesn’t question Jesus’ ability. He questions his willingness.

I think a lot of us live there. We believe God can show up. We’re just not always sure he will. But Jesus’ response changes everything.

Mark writes that Jesus was “moved with compassion.” The original word used here is splanchnizomai—a deep gut-level stirring. Not surface emotion. Not passing sympathy. This is something felt in Jesus’ core.

At Hope, when we feel something tug our core (or our hearts), we like to say, “Was that the Holy Spirit, or was it the pizza I had last night?” This was, in fact, not the pizza Jesus had the night prior.

What does he do next? He reaches out and touches the man. He doesn’t keep his distance. He moves closer. That matters. Sometimes, I assume God’s holding me at arm’s length, when in reality, I’m the one doing it.

Jesus speaks, “Be healed!” Immediately, the man is healed! We see it again and again in Mark 1 that Jesus has authority—over spirits, over sickness, over brokenness. And he still has that authority today. The question is: Do we actually let him speak into our lives? Not just think about him. Not just believe in him. But let him in!

The healed man is grateful! But not the best listener. Jesus says, “Don’t tell anyone about this,” and the man does the opposite and tells everyone.

Honestly, it makes sense. He was healed. Restored! Brought back into community. Of course, he wanted to tell people! Scripture even points us there. In Mark 5:19, Jesus tells a man to go home and share how much the Lord has done for him. But in this moment, Jesus had given him a specific instruction—and he chose excitement (and likely some ambition) over obedience.

I’ve seen that in my own life, too. There have been moments where God has worked in me with splanchnizomai (compassion), reminded me who I am, pulled me out of things I thought defined me … and my first instinct was to go and share it all.

That’s not a bad thing! But following Jesus isn’t just about celebrating what he’s done for us. It’s also about how we choose to respond and engage with him next.

Jesus is able, and he is willing. The question is—are we willing to trust him, come close to him, and actually follow through with what he calls us to?

Reflection:

  • Do you believe Jesus is willing to meet you where you are—or are you holding back from him?
  • Where might you be choosing excitement, comfort, or your own instincts over a simple act toward obedience?

Prayer:
Dear Jesus, thank you that you aren’t distant or indifferent, but rather, you choose to extend your deep compassion toward me. Help me to trust not just what you can do but your willingness to meet me right where I am. Give me the courage to come to you honestly, and the humility to follow what you ask of me next. Teach me to not just celebrate what you’ve done but to walk in obedience because of it! Thank you, Jesus. Amen!