A Heart Posture That Encounters God
A few years ago, I attended a pastor’s prayer summit, a gathering of pastors from all stages of life and ministry. During one of the worship and prayer sessions, something powerful happened.
A man in the room suddenly began to weep, deeply and uncontrollably. He fell to the ground and laid completely prostrate, overwhelmed in a moment that was clearly bigger than anything happening around him. It wasn’t for attention. He wasn’t aware of the room. He was encountering God.
Later, when asked what happened, he simply said,
“God was doing deep heart work and reminding me how much He loves me.”
Here’s what makes that moment even more striking, this man was in his mid 80s and had been in ministry for over 60 years.
And yet, he was still hungry for God, still humble, still open.
The Posture of the Heart Matters
That moment raises an important question for all of us,
How do we approach God?
Do we come thinking we mostly have it together, just needing help with one or two things,
Or do we come with humility, fully aware of our need for Him?
This message isn’t just for people new to faith or those struggling in obvious ways. It’s for everyone, whether you’ve followed Jesus for decades or are just beginning.
God isn’t looking for perfection.
He’s looking for a heart that is open, humble, and ready to receive.
Four Encounters With Jesus, Luke 5:12–26
In Luke 5, we see four different encounters that reveal how people approach Jesus, and how He responds.
1. The Leper, A Picture of Desperation and Faith
A man covered in leprosy approaches Jesus and says,
“Lord, if you will, you can make me clean.”
He fully understands his condition. He doesn’t hide it. He doesn’t minimize it.
Leprosy in that time meant complete isolation, cut off from family, society, and normal life. It was a living death.
Yet this man comes in faith.
And Jesus does the unthinkable, He touches him.
Instead of becoming unclean, Jesus makes the man clean.
Desperation plus faith equals transformation.
2. The Priest, A Witness to the Miracle
After healing the man, Jesus tells him to go to the priest.
Why?
Because according to the law, Leviticus 14, the priest would confirm healing and restore the person back into society.
But here’s the deeper layer,
This kind of healing was almost unheard of.
For the priest, this moment would raise a huge question,
“Who has the power to do this?”
It was a direct witness pointing to Jesus as the Messiah.
3. The Paralytic, When Jesus Addresses the Deeper Need
A paralyzed man is lowered through a roof by his friends to reach Jesus.
Everyone expects healing.
Instead, Jesus says,
“Your sins are forgiven.”
That’s unexpected.
Why? Because Jesus addresses the spiritual need before the physical one.
Eventually, He heals the man’s body, but not before revealing something greater,
Forgiveness is the deeper miracle.
4. The Pharisees, When Pride Blocks Perspective
The religious leaders are present, but they’re not leaning in.
They’re observing, evaluating, judging.
While others are desperate for transformation, they’re sitting in skepticism.
Their question,
“Who can forgive sins but God alone?”
Ironically, they’re asking the right question, while missing the answer standing right in front of them.
Pride and self righteousness can blind us to what God is doing.
Which One Are You?
Each of these encounters reflects a different heart posture,
The Leper, aware of his need, desperate for change
The Priest, believes, but needs to see God move again
The Paralytic, comes with a problem, receives something deeper
The Pharisees, confident, but closed off
So the real question is,
How are you approaching God?
A Call to Humility
God responds to humility.
Whether you feel broken, skeptical, distracted, or confident, He invites you to come honestly.
Not pretending.
Not performing.
Not holding back.
Just open.
Because the same Jesus who touched the leper, forgave the sinner, and challenged the proud,
still meets people today.
Final Thought
You don’t need to have everything figured out.
You don’t need to clean yourself up first.
You simply need to come with a heart that says,
“Lord, I need You.”
And just like the leper, you may find His response is the same,
“I am willing. Be clean.”