When Jesus spoke, he proclaimed and taught boldly. There are many times when Jesus says important things and he often repeats them for emphasis. One phrase he says often is “I am…” and then follows with something that he claims he is or does. Jesus says this time and time again and we are going to look at each time he says this phrase and what it means for us and what Jesus meant by it.
The first encounter we are going to study is of Jesus talking to a man with leprosy. After the sermon on the mount, Matthew records this story of a man coming up to Jesus. This man is sick with a terrible disease called leprosy and perhaps he even just heard Jesus talking on the mountainside. He comes up to Jesus, kneels, and wants Jesus to heal him. Matthew 8:2 records this, “‘Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.’” This man recognizes that Jesus has healing power. He doesn’t ask Jesus if he is capable of healing him, he knows he is. The man asks if Jesus is willing because if Jesus is willing, he can heal the man.
Jesus’ response is where we come to our first “I am…” statement. “Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said.” (Matthew 8:3). Jesus says that he is willing to make the man clean. He then heals the man and tells him not to tell anyone but to be proof of what Jesus can do.
In this short statement, we can learn that Jesus is willing to heal us. Whatever the situation may be, Jesus is always willing if we believe He can. This man with leprosy knew Jesus could heal him. Whether he had heard the stories or had seen it himself, he believed Jesus could heal him. We have to do the same. In situations where we need Jesus to be with us and help us, we have to believe he is willing to help, because he is. 1 Peter 5:7 says, “Cast all your cares on him, because he cares for you”. Jesus really does care and wants us to want him.