Mark 1:40-45 (NKJV)

40 Now a leper came to Him, imploring Him, kneeling down to Him and saying to Him, “If You are willing, You can make me clean.”41 Then Jesus, moved with compassion, stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, “I am willing; be cleansed.”

Mark 1:40-45 (NKJV)

42 As soon as He had spoken, immediately the leprosy left him, and he was cleansed. 43 And He strictly warned him and sent him away at once, 44 and said to him, “See that you say nothing to anyone; but go your way, show yourself to the priest, and offer for your cleansing those things which Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.”

Mark 1:40-45 (NKJV)

45 However, he went out and began to proclaim it freely, and to spread the matter, so that Jesus could no longer openly enter the city, but was outside in deserted places; and they came to Him from every direction.

Mark 1:40-45

A Leper Learns Jesus

A Leper Learns JesusWe live in a time where there are many who doubt whether Jesus was truly the Son of God

There have always been doubters, even among those who actually saw Him with their own eyes

There were certainly proofs that He gave that can help with our faith (Heb. 11:1)

A Leper Learns JesusOne such instance came from what we read in Mark 1:40-45

A couple of parallel passages are found in Matthew 8:1-4 and Luke 5:12-16

Here from this story we see the overwhelming evidence of the fact that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God

MaladyThe Bible describes this man simply as a leper (v. 40)

This disease determined how he was treated by others

Leprosy was a fleshly disease

Normally those affected would lose their fingers and toes one at a time

MaladyThere were sores that would appear all over the body

Often there would be infection that would come as a result

A stinch came from those who were infected and eaten up with these sores

There could also be a sunken nose as a result

MaladyThere was really no hope for those infected as there was no known cure

They were viewed as dead men walking, condemned, and on death row

Aaron spoke of Miriam this way when she was afflicted with it (Num. 12:10-12)

It was a dreadful existence

MaladySocially, they were cut off from friends and family, forced to live outside the city

Many dwelt in caves, as outcasts

They had to remain at least 6 feet away from others and cry “unclean”

Their clothes would be torn and hair usually unkempt (resembling our homeless)

MaladyFinancially they were ruined; there was no more working or making a living

Emotionally they were base, seen as inferior by others

Spiritually, they were seen as sinners, cursed by God

Sin separates (Is. 59:1-2)

MaladyThis man was desperate; he risked punishment by going up to Jesus and getting that close to others

He begged Jesus to heal him

His only question was regarding the will of Jesus, not His power

He came to Jesus in faith, worshipping Him

MaladyWithout faith it is impossible to be pleasing to God – Heb. 11:6

James said when we ask of God it must be with faith (Js. 1:6)

Anything we ask according to His will, He hears us (I Jn. 5:14-15)

Jesus did the same (Matt. 26:39)

MiracleNext we see the miracle itself being performed (vs. 41-42)

This miracle shows us the compassion of Jesus

Compassion means “your pain in my heart”

Jesus felt the pain of this man in His heart (Heb. 4:15)

MiracleSomething moved or stirred with Jesus when He saw him

Notice that Jesus reached out and touched him

Jesus could have simply spoken and this man would have been healed (creation)

A touch can mean everything to us, especially to a leper

MiracleJesus said, “I am willing”, showing us that it was indeed His will

We know that God is not willing that any should perish (II Pet. 3:9; I Tim. 2:3-4)

We sometimes sing, “Does Jesus Care?”

He most certainly does! (I Pet. 5:7)

MiracleAs soon as Jesus touches him and commands him “be cleansed”, he is healed

His healing was both full and immediate

Here was a leper without hope who now, because of Jesus, can see life as new

So what does this miracle here teach us about Jesus?

MessageThere is certainly a message that was sent by this miracle

The message that we need to see, that those then should see was that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God

This miracle gave proof to that claim

Only God could heal leprosy (II Ki. 5:7)

MessageThe leprosy left at the very command of Jesus

He was then told to go show himself to the priest (v. 44) just as the law commanded be done

How many times since the law was given had anyone shown themselves to the priest as being healed of leprosy?

MessageThis priest had never before seen this happen

Yet later we read of Jesus healing 10 lepers, who would have all shown themselves to the priest

Can you believe that they still did not believe this confirmation that Jesus was God?

Message was that the Lord had come!