Matthew 8:1-4
“When he was come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed him. And, behold, there came a leper and worshiped him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean, And Jesus put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will; be thou clean. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed. And Jesus saith unto him, See thou tell no man; but go thy way, shew thyself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them.”
The people saw something different in the Lord Jesus Christ. They saw him as a man, which taught with great authority. They willingly followed this teacher that had come down from the father. Jesus had taught them a deeper understanding of the Scriptures. Jesus had healed others in their midst and done many great and wonderful miracles. The people knew that this man was unique from anyone that they had ever encountered. A leper made his way to Jesus Christ and sought his help. This leper was no doubt a lonely man, an outcast, because of the disease of leprosy and what the Law demanded of one with leprosy. It took boldness on this man’s part to come to Christ. He had heard of this man Jesus and the incredible miracles that he had performed. He came with belief in Christ, asking Christ to heal him from his terrible disease. “Jesus put forth his hand and touched him.” No doubt, when he touched the leper the multitudes probably recoiled in horror. Everyone knew that the disease of leprosy was highly contagious and dangerous. Jesus had no fear of a disease. Jesus had previously spoke to the winds and the storm on the Sea of Galilee and the storm had obeyed him. Jesus, as God, had part in creation. He is the Creator. It’s not surprising that all of creation obeys Him. Jesus’ response to the lepers request, “If thou wilt, thou canst make me clean,” was to declare, “I will” and Jesus instantly and completely healed the man of his disease.
Dear friend, you may not have this loathsome disease of leprosy, but you do have a deadly disease called sin. Sin will spread through your life and destroy you if left unchecked. Jesus Christ stands willing to help you today. He alone can give you victory over the sin in your life. You don’t have the power to proclaim victory over your own sin. God can help you today. Repent, turn from your sin and turn to Christ, allowing him to give you complete victory over the sin in your life. You don’t have to live in bondage any longer, Christ offers you freedom. John 8:32 “Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” Jesus Christ is that truth. Jesus declared of Himself in John 14:6 “I am the way, the truth, and the life, no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” This is the plain and simple truth. Freedom and victory await you in your life. Do as the leper in our Bible story, ask Jesus to make you clean and he will gladly do it.