Miracles of Jesus -13- Physical Healing

Miracles of Physical Healing— A Leper

Matthew 8:2-4; Mark 1:40-45; Luke 5:12-16

1. When caught in a crowd (rush hour, Christmas crunch, etc.) what do you do?

--------------------

Jesus Heals a Man with Leprosy

Mark 1 ⁴⁰ A man with leprosy came and knelt in front of Jesus, begging to be healed. “If you are willing, you can heal me and make me clean,” he said.

 ⁴¹ Moved with compassion, Jesus reached out and touched him. “I am willing,” he said. “Be healed!” ⁴² Instantly the leprosy disappeared, and the man was healed. ⁴³ Then Jesus sent him on his way with a stern warning: ⁴⁴ “Don’t tell anyone about this. Instead, go to the priest and let him examine you. Take along the offering required in the law of Moses for those who have been healed of leprosy. This will be a public testimony that you have been cleansed.”

 ⁴⁵ But the man went and spread the word, proclaiming to everyone what had happened. As a result, large crowds soon surrounded Jesus, and he couldn’t publicly enter a town anywhere. He had to stay out in the secluded places, but people from everywhere kept coming to him.

 ---------------------

He had to stay out in the secluded places, but people from everywhere kept coming to him.

 ---------------------

Questions of Discovery

Seeking God’s Message Then and Now

1. How does Luke describe the leper? (Luke 5:12)

2. What did the leper ask Jesus? (Mark 1:40)

3. Why is the leper unsure of Jesus' desire to help (see Lev 13)? What is significant about Jesus touching the leper prior to healing him? (See footnote) What do the crowds expect?

4. Describe what Jesus said and did and the results. (Mark 1:41-42)

5. What were Jesus' instructions to the man? (Mark 1:43-44)

6. What did the man do? (Mark 1:45)

7. What does Luke add about Jesus? (Luke 5:16)

Note: The man was not legally cleansed and able to return to society until the priest examined him. The Law of Moses provided for a ceremonial ritual to be performed by the priest for one who was cured of leprosy.

 --------------

Questions for

Personal Reflection

1. Where do you need His special touch this week? How can you "touch lepers" in your community?

Note: Touching a leper was prohibited for it caused defilement (uncleanness) in the one who did the touching. However, Jesus in his compassion touched the man and healed him, remaining undefiled. If we allow Jesus to touch our lives, we, too, can be cleansed by His righteousness.