Scripture: Matthew 8: 1-4
When Jesus came down from the mountain, large crowds [a]followed Him. 2 And a leper came up to Him and bowed down before Him, saying, “Lord, if You are willing, You are able to make me clean (well).” 3 Jesus reached out His hand and touched him, saying, “I am willing; be cleansed.” Immediately his leprosy was cleansed. 4 And Jesus said to him, “See that you tell no one [about this]; but go, show yourself to the priest [for inspection] and present the offering that Moses commanded, as a testimony (evidence) to them [of your healing].”
Scripture Commentary:
Leprosy – like AIDS when it was first diagnosed, and COVID 19 today – was a terrifying disease because there was no known cure. In Jesus’ day, the Greek word for leprosy was used for a variety of similar diseases. Some of them were contagious.
If a person contracted the contagious type, a priest declared him a leper and banished him from his home and city. The leper was sent to live in a community with other lepers until s/he either got better or died. Yet when the leper begged Jesus to heal him, Jesus reached out and touched him even though his skin was covered with the dreaded disease.
Sin, like leprosy, is also an incurable disease.
We all have it. Only Christ’s healing touch can miraculously take away our sins and restore us to real living. But first, just like the leper, we must realize our inability to cure ourselves and ask for Jesus’ saving help.
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