February 14, 2015

6th Sunday - B


Commentary

I Do Will It”

Mark continues to portrays Jesus proclaiming the Kingdom of God. His proclamation of the Kingdom consists of more than words of preaching. His healing, his interaction with people, and particularly, his attitude towards the people are all parts of his proclamation of the Kingdom.

His attitude must have generated such a reputation that the man with leprosy feels that he can come to Jesus. By law, he is not even allowed to come near people. Yet, here, he even comes close and speaks to Jesus.

And Jesus' response to the man's explains further why Jesus has such attitude and such reputation. “I do will it. Be made clean.” The Greek verb thelo translated as “do will it” here can also be translated as “to have the intention or determination,” “to desire,” “to take delight in, have pleasure.” [1]

This attitude also explains why Jesus even touches the man.

The Lord's pleasure is not just to heal the man's physical illness. But by healing him of his leprosy, Jesus “restores the leper to his place among God's people.” [2]

That is the Lord's pleasure, delight, desire, and determination: to heal us, to make us clean, and to bring us back into God's family.

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[1]  www.blueletterbible.org

[2] Francis J. Moloney. The Gospel of Mark, A Commentary. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, 2002; p. 58

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