Willing to Heal the Leper

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