The title of my message today is the “The Healing and Restoration of the Leper”. It looks at Jesus’ amazing interaction with a Leper who approached Him and the result of what happened. This story is found in three of the Gospels – Matthew, Mark and Luke. Today I am going to focus on the Matthew version.
In the context of Matthew’s gospel, this passage takes place after Jesus was tempted in the desert by Satan in Matthew chapter 4 and right after the sermon on the mount of Matthew chapters 5-7.
Bible Reading
Matthew 8:1-4
When he came down from the mountainside, large crowds followed him. 2 A man with leprosy came and knelt before him and said, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.” 3 Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” Immediately he was cured of his leprosy. 4 Then Jesus said to him, “See that you don’t tell anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the gift Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.”
Message Points
We see in verse 1 many people were following Jesus because of His teaching authority (Matthew 7:28-29). Chapter 4 tells us that news of Jesus had spread far and wide and people were following Jesus from the ten towns in the region. This is the context where the Leper comes to Jesus and we see a miracle that not only heals him, but changes his whole life. Today I want to share four thoughts from this passage.
1. The Leper knelt before Jesus
In verse two we see the Leper comes and asks Jesus to heal him. He says, “If you are willing, You can make me clean”. The way he asked was interesting. He used the term “Lord” while he was kneeling. The original Greek word (pros-koo-neh’-o) used in the text for kneeling can mean knelt and worshipped or bowed down before. The Leper knew Jesus was someone so special that he knelt before Him and worshipped Him. He understood His power and His Lordship. It was not a casual asking for healing, it was a considered, reverent request. He knew Jesus could heal him and his kneeling position showed he worshipped Him.
2. Jesus was willing to heal the man
The Leper asked if Jesus was willing to heal him. Verse 3 says, “Jesus reached out and touched him. “I am willing,” he said. “Be healed!” And instantly the leprosy disappeared”. Jesus decided and acted and his leprosy was gone in an instant. It was a true miracle. We see that a large part of Jesus’ ministry was healing. In Matthew 4:23 we see that Jesus had already been preaching, teaching and healing throughout the region. And further on in chapters 8 & 9 we see Jesus heals the officials servant, “many” people, a paralysed man, two blind men, and a woman was healed by touching His cloak. We see wherever Jesus went, He willingly healed them all.
3. Jesus actually touched the man
In the time when Jesus walked the earth, most would have done anything to avoid a person with leprosy. They would have been scared they would catch it. For the religious Jew they would have been worried about being ceremonially unclean on top of getting sick. This would mean being excluded from the Temple, the Synagogue and community life. This did not worry Jesus because when Jesus touches something, it cannot affect Him and it cannot stay unclean for long. The Bible tells us the man was instantly healed at the touch of Jesus.
4. Jesus restored the man’s family and community life
The man with leprosy would have to live an isolated life outside the city in a leper colony. If he came in to town he would need to cover his body and mouth, walk in a crouched way, and shout unclean, unclean, unclean. If he did not do this he could be stoned to death by law. By healing the man Jesus allowed him to return to his family, his work, the Temple and/or Synagogue. That is why Jesus told him to show himself to the Priest. A Priest declared someone unclean and on rare occasions, declared them clean again (Leviticus 14:1-32). In healing the man, Jesus not only restored his body, but he restored him to his life. It was way more than just a healing.
Closing summary
Today we looked at the wonderful story of Jesus and His healing of the leper. Not only did Jesus instantly perform a miraculous healing, but He restored his whole life when He made him clean. Jesus did not treat the man as an outcast, but touched him and gave him back his life back. He could return to his family, his work and his community of faith.
If you need a touch from Jesus today, I would encourage you to kneel before Him and ask for your miracle. The Bible tells us that Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8). He healed people wherever He went, today He still heals people who call out to Him in reverant prayer. Why not call on Him today?
Prayer
Dear Lord Jesus, I come before You now on my knees. I believe You are the eternal King of the universe. You healed people wherever You went during Your earthly ministry. I believe You are the same yesterday, today and forever and nothing is impossible for You. I ask that You will place Your healing hand on me right now. Heal my body, heal my mind and heal my soul. I ask in Your name, Amen.