Jesus Heals the Leper

Who came to Jesus for healing? A leper. A leper was someone who had the disease of leprosy.

In Jesus’ day, they understood that leprosy was spread by touch, so lepers were forced to live in places outside of towns, away from friends and family.

NOBODY would touch them because leprosy didn’t get better; it was a disease that slowly led to death. What a sad way to go.

Let’s look at the attitude the leper had. Look at verse 40. He came humbly, kneeling before Jesus. He begged Jesus for healing.

The leper was desperate for healing. You can tell that he had faith—he knew Jesus could heal him.

But he was humble and politely asked Jesus to heal him saying, “If you will.”

What was Jesus' attitude in verse 41? He was moved with pity.

Pity is another word for compassion, which is feeling sympathy for and wanting to help someone who’s hurting. Jesus has emotions just like every other human. Anger?

Jesus said he was willing to heal him. He said, “Be clean.” and immediately the leprosy left the man. He was healed.

When Jesus speaks compared to when God speaks.

Did you notice that Jesus did what nobody else would dare to do?

People were afraid to touch lepers or even be around them for fear of getting the disease.

Lepers were rejected. You will be rejected.

Jesus could have healed the leper without touching him, but Jesus reached out and touched him to show love and compassion.

This was probably the first time anyone had touched this man since he had gotten leprosy. Imagine if you never got a hug or nobody ever held your hand.

In both of these miracles, Jesus showed his power over disease.
He touched Simon’s mother-in-law, and her fever left.
He touched the leper and he became clean.

Refer to the Attributes of God Poster. What attributes of God do we see in Jesus’ miracles?

Omnipotence and sovereignty in supernaturally healing the fever and leprosy;
Gracious in healing those who did nothing to deserve healing;
Merciful in showing kindness to those in misery.

As Jesus traveled throughout the region of Galilee in his first year of ministry, he usually had an excited crowd following him to see what amazing things he would do next.

We have seen Jesus establish his authority in the temple and synagogues, and also demons and now we have seen his power over disease.