The authority of Jesus through the healing of a leper

Beloved, I am glad to share with you today on the authority of Jesus through the healing of the sick. After the profound teaching that he had just given in his sermon on the mountain, and which aroused much astonishment from the crowds that followed him, for this power was given to him in heaven and on earth, the Lord Jesus healed a leper. For as a servant of the Lord, he came to heal and deliver those who are suffering. And crowds clung to his steps because of the power of the words they had just heard.

So he healed a leper with this power, as we read in Matthew 8: 1-4: “ When Jesus came down from the mountainside, large crowds followed him. 2 A man with leprosy came and knelt before him 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. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the gift Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.” 

It should be recalled that the leper was excluded by law from any communication with society, either because of the contagion, or because the disease was legally impure. But his loving word to the leper accomplished the miracle; and to show clearly that he came to fulfill the Law, he insisted that the news not be published before the priest’s report. And then to offer the gift as a testimony of his healing. He wanted those who were healed or delivered to keep within them the manifestation of the power of divine love. In the end, the Lord Jesus also wanted the healing of the body to result in the healing of the soul.

As the leper is a person despised and excluded from the community; because he is ritually unclean because of his sickness, the Savior thereby shows that he came to heal and deliver the sick (Isa 42.3). This is why the Lord Jesus did not take care of the sick like doctors who examine, diagnose, write a prescription, collect their fees, and leave. He didn’t just heal. He also himself “took our weaknesses and carried our diseases”, going back to their source which is sin. He felt its full weight, all the bitterness (John 11:35; John 11.17-46). Is not such sympathy more precious than deliverance properly? This is what constitutes the experience of many sick Christians.

Now leprosy is a figure of sin in its defilement, an evil with no other means of healing than the power of the Lord (see Leviticus 14: 1-9). Indeed, we see how evident the glory of the person of Jesus is in this healing, as well as his power, because he can heal; his goodness: his divine purity, for he is God manifested in the flesh. He extends his hand, touches the leper, and instead of being stained with this touch, like any man would have been, it is the leper who is purified. What a subject of contemplation that the person of Jesus in his humiliation, in the midst of defiled and lost men, to bring them the divine resources that their miserable state demanded. All that God is in power, in grace, in purity, was there in a man, the Man-God, unassailable by sin, and at the disposal of all who wanted to profit from it.

So the Lord Jesus recognizes the legal system under which he came; this is why he sends the purified leper to show himself to the priests, to offer what Moses commanded, and he adds: “That he may serve as their witness.” If the priests recognized that the leper was clean, they obviously had before their eyes the testimony that Jesus was the Lord, since he alone could cure leprosy. Alas! this indisputable testimony of the presence of the Messiah among them, followed by many others, did not prevent them from rejecting him. The compilation of the verses below will edify you further on our subject.

1. THE POWER OF CHRIST AND THE SURPRISING OF CROWDS

• The characteristics of the power of Christ:

-save: Isa 63.1 “ Who is this coming from Edom, from Bozrah, with his garments stained crimson? Who is this, robed in splendor, striding forward in the greatness of his strength? “It is I, proclaiming victory, mighty to save.” 

– forgive: Mat 9.6 “ But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the paralyzed man, “Get up, take your mat and go home.”

-is infinite Mat: 28.18 “Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.”

-on nature: Luke 8.25 “Where is your faith?” he asked his disciples. In fear and amazement they asked one another, “Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him.” 

-on his own life: John 10.18 “ No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father. ”

-give life: John 17.2 “For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him.”

-fulfills wonders: Act 10.38 “ how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.”

-is demonstrated by his resurrection: Rom 1.4 “and who through the Spirit of holiness was appointed the Son of God in power by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Heb 1.3 “The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.”)

• Attraction of Christ: Matt 8.1 “ When Jesus came down from the mountainside, large crowds followed him.”;

Mark 5.6,21 “ When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and fell on his knees in front of him.”; Luke 9.37 “ The next day, when they came down from the mountain, a large crowd met him.”; John 12.32 ” And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.”

• Multitudes follow him: Mat 4.25 “ Large crowds from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea and the region across the Jordan followed him.”;

Mat 13.2 “Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore.; Mat 15.30 “Great crowds came to him, bringing the lame, the blind, the crippled, the mute and many others, and laid them at his feet; and he healed them.”; Mat 19.2 “ Large crowds followed him, and he healed them there.”; Mark 1.33 “ The whole town gathered at the door”; Mark 2.13 “ Once again Jesus went out beside the lake. A large crowd came to him, and he began to teach them.”; Mark 3.20 “ Then Jesus entered a house, and again a crowd gathered, so that he and his disciples were not even able to eat..”

• The multitudes urge him: Mark 2.2 “They gathered in such large numbers that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them.”;

Mark 3.10 “ For he had healed many, so that those with diseases were pushing forward to touch him.”; Mark 5.24 “  So Jesus went with him. A large crowd followed and pressed around him.”

• Examples of great faith:

The leper: Mat 8.2 “A man with leprosy came and knelt before him and said, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.”; the centurion: Mat 8.10 “ When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him, “Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith.” ; the head of the synagogue : Mat 9.18 “While he was saying this, a synagogue leader came and knelt before him and said, “My daughter has just died. But come and put your hand on her, and she will live.”; the blind man: Mat 9.28 “When he had gone indoors, the blind men came to him, and he asked them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?”“Yes, Lord,” they replied.”; the sick: Mat 14.36 :and begged him to let the sick just touch the edge of his cloak, and all who touched it were healed.” the Canaanite woman: Mat 15.28 “Then Jesus said to her, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed at that moment.”; the woman with the loss of blood: Mark 5.28 “because she thought, “If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed.”

• The leper: Luke 17.12 “ As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance ”

Numbers 5.2 “ “Command the Israelites to send away from the camp anyone who has a defiling skin disease or a discharge of any kind, or who is ceremonially unclean because of a dead body.”

2. THE PRODIGES OF CHRIST

Contact with Christ brought health and comfort to those he touched:

-the touch that purifies: Mat 8.3 “Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” Immediately he was cleansed of his leprosy.”

-touch that calms: Mat 8.15 “ He touched her hand and the fever left her, and she got up and began to wait on him.”

-the touch that illuminates: Mat 9.29-30 “ Then he touched their eyes and said, “According to your faith let it be done to you”; 30 and their sight was restored. Jesus warned them sternly, “See that no one knows about this.”

-the touch that reassures Mat 17.7 “But Jesus came near and touched them, and said: Stand up, do not be afraid! “

-the touch that frees Mark 7.33 ” After he took him aside, away from the crowd, Jesus put his fingers into the man’s ears. Then he spit and touched the man’s tongue.”; Mark 7.35 “ At this, the man’s ears were opened, his tongue was loosened and he began to speak plainly.”

-the touch that heals: Mark 10.13,16 “People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. 16 And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them.”

-touching on the person of children: Luke 22.51 “But Jesus answered, “No more of this!” And he touched the man’s ear and healed him.”

• Immediate healings: Mat 8.3 “Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” Immediately he was cleansed of his leprosy.”

Mat 20.34 “Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight and followed him.”; Mark 1.31 “So he went to her, took her hand and helped her up. The fever left her and she began to wait on them.”; Mark 5.29,42 “Immediately her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering. 42 Immediately the girl stood up and began to walk around (she was twelve years old). At this they were completely astonished. ”;

• Examples of healings operated by Christ: Mat 8.16 “When evening came, many who were demon-possessed were brought to him, and he drove out the spirits with a word and healed all the sick.”

Mat 4.23 “Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people..”; Luke 9.6 “So they set out and went from village to village, proclaiming the good news and healing people everywhere.”

• The rejected are accepted by Christ: “Mat 21.31 “Which of the two did what his father wanted?”The first,” they answered. Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you.”

-the lepers: Mat 8.3 “Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” Immediately he was cleansed of his leprosy.”;

-publicans and prostitutes: Mat 21.31 “Which of the two did what his father wanted?”“The first,” they answered. Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you.”; Luke 7.29 “All the people, even the tax collectors, when they heard Jesus’ words, acknowledged that God’s way was right, because they had been baptized by John.”

-women sinners: Luke 7.47 “Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.”; John 8.11 “No one, sir,” she said. “Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.”  

– despised sinners: Luke 15.2 “But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”

-the malefactor on the cross: Luke 23.43 “Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

-the blind man driven out of the synagogue: John 9.35 “Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, and when he found him, he said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” 

• Keeping the law is a commandment: Deut 17.19 “ It is to be with him, and he is to read it all the days of his life so that he may learn to revere the LORD his God and follow carefully all the words of this law and these decrees”

Jos 23.6 “ “Be very strong; be careful to obey all that is written in the Book of the Law of Moses, without turning aside to the right or to the left.”;

• The disciples’ silence is commanded by Christ: Mat 8.4 “Then Jesus said to him, “See that you don’t tell anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the gift Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.”

Mat 9.30 “ and their sight was restored. Jesus warned them sternly, “See that no one knows about this.”; Mat 12.16 “ He warned them not to tell others about him.”; Mat 16.20 “ Then he ordered his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.”

• Leprosy: Deut 24.8 “ In cases of defiling skin diseases, be very careful to do exactly as the Levitical priests instruct you. You must follow carefully what I have commanded them.”
• True testimony is a fruit of faith: 2 Cor 4.13 “ It is written: “I believed; therefore I have spoken.” Since we have that same spirit of faith, we also believe and therefore speak,”; 1 Peter 5.12“ With the help of Silas, whom I regard as a faithful brother, I have written to you briefly, encouraging you and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Stand fast in it.”

From the above, we understand that the authority of the power of our Savior drew and amazed crowds wherever he went because he healed them by touching or speaking, because this power was given to him in heaven and on Earth. By doing like him, we will be able to heal the sick by the power of his word, his name, and by our faith. We also found that he was especially interested in those who are rejected and the sick because those who are righteous, that is to say in good health, do not need a doctor. Our prayers support all of you in your efforts to apply the Word of God, our Heavenly Father.

PRAYER OF ACCEPTANCE OF JESUS ​​CHRIST AS LORD AND PERSONAL SAVIOR

I now invite anyone who wants to become a new creation by walking in the truth, to pray with me as follows :

Lord Jesus, I have long walked in the lusts of the world ignoring your love for humans. I acknowledge that I have sinned against you and ask forgiveness for all my sins, because today I have decided to give you my life by taking you as my Lord and personal Savior. I acknowledge that you died on the cross of Calvary and that you rose from the dead for me.

I am now saved and born again by the power of the Holy Spirit. Lead me each day to eternal life you give to all who obey your Word. Reveal to me and strengthen my heart and my faith so that your light may shine in my life right now.

Thank you, Lord Jesus, for accepting me in your divine family so that I too can contemplate the wonders of your kingdom.

I will now choose a nearby waterpoint to baptize myself by immersion, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

To you all worship, power, and glory, now and forever and ever. Amen!

I would be glad to respond to your queries and comments as necessary, before sharing with you next week on the centurion’s humility and the might of Jesus.

May the Lord Jesus Christ bless you profusely.

David Feze, Servant of the Lord Almighty.