COVID-19 | People today don’t have to yell “unclean” as they did in Jesus’ time but, they do have to wear face masks and keep a “safe” distance from others.
Now, I’m not comparing leprosy to corona virus but some of the short-term guidelines apply — i.e. quarantine.
This set us up for today’s Bible study lesson taken from Luke 5:12-16. Let’s see what happens when Jesus heals the man with leprosy.
Jesus performed many miracles and healed many people during His short ministry.
He used His greatness to help others in many different ways; from catching fish to healing sickness — and souls!
The leper is just one example of how faith in God can work wonders in healing and forgiveness from sin.
We just need to learn how to trust and accept that Jesus can help.
Jesus Heals a Man with Leprosy
“While He was in one of the cities, behold, there was a man covered with leprosy; and when he saw Jesus, he fell on his face and begged Him, saying, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.”
And He reached out with His hand and touched him, saying, “I am willing; be cleansed.”
And immediately the leprosy left him.
And He ordered him to tell no one, saying, “But go and show yourself to the priest, and make an offering for your cleansing, just as Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.”
But the news about Him was spreading even farther, and large crowds were gathering to hear Him and to be healed of their sicknesses.
But Jesus Himself would often slip away to the wilderness and pray.” – Luke 5:12-16 (NASB)
Jesus Heals the Leper – And Forgives
The Leprosy Healing
In today’s times, we are faced with many dread diseases like covid-19 (mentioned above), cancer, diabetes, AIDS and numerous others.
And, many have limited or no cure in sight.
This is what the people of Jesus’ time dealt with when it came to leprosy.
What is Leprosy?
Basically, leprosy is an awful disease that affects the skin.
It is sometimes contagious. So, the person in those days who possessed it was feared by the people.
Now, back to the lesson.
Unclean! Unclean!
The person with leprosy was considered unclean and virtually became an outcast among his people.
He or she was ordered to keep a safe distance from others and had to beg for food to avoid starvation.
Whenever anyone approached them, the leper had to yell; “Unclean! Unclean!” so the stranger would know to keep “social distance“.
In other words, those afflicted lived a miserable existence.
Approaching Jesus
Although the man most likely had an advanced case of leprosy, and probably looked hideous because of loss of skin tissue, he could still come to Christ.
He believed that Jesus could heal him so threw himself at Jesus’ feet showing a leap of faith.
He asked Jesus; “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.”
The Lord was willing and healed the leper.
Healing Our “Disease”
We also suffer from separation just as the leper did.
But, our separation from God is called sin.
The great news is, just as Christ healed the leper of his ailment, He is willing to heal us of our sin through forgiveness.
All we have to do is believe and ask. Take time today to bow in prayer and ask Christ for forgiveness — I’ll do the same.
Love in Christ
– Bob
If you have never made the commitment to receive the love and life-changing experience of Jesus Christ, please take a moment to Read John 3:16 to learn how.