JESUS MEETS A MAN WITH LEPROSY

Passage: Matthew 8:1-4

Key verse: 3

NIV

Jesus Heals a Man With Leprosy(A)

8 When Jesus came down from the mountainside, large crowds followed him. 2 A man with leprosy[a](B) came and knelt before him(C) and said, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.”

3 Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” Immediately he was cleansed of his leprosy. 4 Then Jesus said to him, “See that you don’t tell anyone.(D) But go, show yourself to the priest(E) and offer the gift Moses commanded,(F) as a testimony to them.”

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Footnotes
  1. Matthew 8:2 The Greek word traditionally translated leprosy was used for various diseases affecting the skin.
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

Jesus Cleanses a Leper

8 When he came down from the mountain, (A)great crowds followed him. 2 (B)And behold, a leper[a] came to him and (C)knelt before him, saying, “Lord, if you will, you can make me clean.” 3 And Jesus[b] stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, “I will; be clean.” And immediately his leprosy was cleansed. 4 And Jesus said to him, (D)“See that you say nothing to anyone, but go, (E)show yourself to the priest and (F)offer the gift that Moses commanded, (G)for a proof to them.”

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Footnotes
  1. Matthew 8:2 Leprosy was a term for several skin diseases; see Leviticus 13
  2. Matthew 8:3 Greek he
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

1. Lord, if you are willing...(1-2)

Crowds of people pushed and pressed one another to get close to Jesus. But when the man with leprosy came near, the crowds melted. No one wanted to be near him. This man believed that Jesus had power to cleanse him of his putrid, life-destroying disease. He was not sure, however, that Jesus would accept him--for no one else did. But he overcame his doubts and the hostile glares of the crowd, and knelt before Jesus. 'Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.'

2. Jesus said, 'I am willing' (3-4)

Jesus reached out his hand and touched him and said, 'Be clean.' Jesus did not shrink back from touching him. Jesus' loving touch cut through all the rules. It broke through his loneliness. He was healed. Jesus sent him to the priest to make a thanksgiving offering and to be certified as clean. He could go back to his home and family a new man, and live a life based on God's grace. Jesus' touch of love brings forgiveness, cleansing and restoration.

Prayer: Lord, you touched and cleansed me. Help me to share your love with others who need your touch.

One Word: Jesus is willing