Wednesday, September 28, 2022
“When he was come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed him. And, behold, there came a leper and worshipped him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. And Jesus put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will; be thou clean. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed. And Jesus saith unto him, See thou tell no man; but go thy way, shew thyself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them” (Matthew 8:1-4 KJV).
Why is this part of the Holy Scriptures?
The Bible’s term “leprosy” refers to various infectious skin diseases caused by bacteria. While modern medicine knows of “Hansen’s disease” (something similar), it should not be confused with the condition in the Scripture. Leprosy was such a significant topic in ancient Israel that the Holy Spirit devoted 116 verses (!) to it in the Law of Moses (Leviticus chapters 13–14). If you study these lengthy, repulsive instructions, you will learn the complicated health laws God had implemented so as to diagnose, isolate, and treat lepers amongst the Jewish people. (We will return to Leviticus later.)
Having just delivered His monumental Sermon on the Mount (chapters 5–7), the principles or constitution of His coming kingdom, the Lord Jesus descends the mountain with large crowds trailing (today’s Scripture). A leper approaches Him, worships Him, and announces to Him: “Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.” In medical doctor Luke’s account (5:12), the man is “full of leprosy”—completely covered with sores, a truly hopeless case if there ever was one! Observe: it is not “If the Lord can heal” but “If the Lord is willing to heal.” Jesus’ power is unlimited, but has He chosen to exercise that infinite power to cure this leper’s infirm body? Today’s Scripture answers: “And Jesus put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will; be thou clean. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed.”
The leper’s healing is not just a story for “little old ladies and children” to learn in Sunday School. Neither is it in the Holy Bible to “fill up space.” Nor is it present to authorize us to be silly in our religious fervor to perform “miracles, signs, and wonders.” Let us keep searching the Scriptures for light….
Our latest Bible Q&As: “Who are the ‘Samaritans?’” and “Why did Peter and John need to lay hands on the Samaritans for them to receive the Holy Ghost?”
333 Words of Grace 