Willing to Heal the Leper
Minister: |
Rev. Ronald Van Overloop |
Date: |
11/20/2016 PM
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Text:
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Matthew 8:1-3
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Psalters: |
91, 188, 235, 64 |
- The leper.
- This incident took place as Jesus finished the sermon on the mount; and it is recorded in Mark and Luke as well.
- In the age of types and shadows, leprosy was one of the most loathsome and incurable diseases.
- It resulted in an unspeakably ugly and frightening appearance (cf. Num. 12:12).
- It is not a skin disease, for it is deeply imbedded in the whole body, including the muscles and bones in the whole body.
- In the ceremonial law God used this disease to picture the horrifying nature of sin.
- Though sin appears outwardly, its real danger is that it is embedded in man’s heart, mind, and will.
- God used this disease as a type, placing His curse of uncleanness on the person (Lev. 13:44-46; Isa. 66:24b).
- He came to Jesus to be cleansed.
- He came through the crowd to Jesus, ignoring the need to call “Unclean” (Lev. 13:45,46).
- He fell on his face before him (Luke 5:12), begging (Mark 1:40) and worshiping Him.
- He believes that Jesus had the ability to heal him from what was incurable, obviously seeing Jesus to be God.
- Jesus’ response.
- First, Jesus was moved with compassion (a love which feels with one) evidenced in that He “touched him” (3).
- Second, notice that Jesus is God.
- Third, Jesus spoke: “I will, be thou made clean.”
- The blessing.
- Pray the leper’s prayer from the heart in order to experience divine compassion and spiritual healing.
- Jesus’ response to the leper is always His answer to this prayer.