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.
--------------------------------
[1] www.blueletterbible.org
[2]
Francis J. Moloney. The
Gospel of Mark, A Commentary.
Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, 2002; p. 58
No comments:
Post a Comment