Leprosy

ByJim Stephens

Scripture:  Matthew 8:1-4 (Click link for scripture in Bible Gateway)

1 Large crowds followed Jesus as he came down the mountainside. 2 Suddenly, a man with leprosy approached him and knelt before him. “Lord,” the man said, “if you are willing, you can heal me and make me clean.” 3 Jesus reached out and touched him. “I am willing,” he said. “Be healed!” And instantly the leprosy disappeared. 4 Then Jesus said to him, “Don’t tell anyone about this. Instead, go to the priest and let him examine you. Take along the offering required in the law of Moses for those who have been healed of leprosy. This will be a public testimony that you have been cleansed.” (Matthew 8:1–4 NLT)

Jesus had just finished a marathon teaching session on a hillside in Galilee. On the way down the mountain, large crowds followed him, jostling each other, trying not to miss anything. Suddenly a man with leprosy approached Jesus. The crowd edged back, trying to stay clear of the unclean leper. They feared being infected by his disease.

The leper knelt before Jesus (there was plenty of room now!) and said, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me well again!” Jesus touched him! “I’m willing”, he said. “Be healed!” And he was healed! Instantly! The leprosy disappeared!

  • Hey friends, notice this! People stayed clear of lepers because if you got too close you could catch their incurable disease.
  • Jesus reached out and touched the sick man! Jesus knew the life in him was more powerful than the disease in the leper!
  • Is it safe to touch sinners? Is the life in us more powerful than the sin in them?

We need answers to two questions to receive from God by faith: “Jesus, are you able?” and “Jesus, are you willing?” The leper believed that Jesus was able to heal him. He just didn’t know if Jesus wanted to heal an outcast, unclean person like him who had been rejected everyone else!

Is there something in your life that makes you feel unclean, unworthy? Do you believe Jesus wants to heal and help you? Simply go to him and say, “Jesus, if you’re willing, you can heal and help me! Do you want to? Will you heal me?”

Prayer:

Father, We all face “incurable” things that make us wonder if you are really willing to heal and help us. Today may we hear you say, “I’m willing! Be healed!” In Jesus’ Name!