The golden rule – treat others the way you want to be treated. Summarizing the sermon on the mount – this powerful principle covers much.
Overview
Matt 8:1-4, Luke 5:12-16; Mark 1:40-45
- Introduction
- The Rules
- The Leper’s faith SCALES the obstacles
- Jesus STIRS tradition
- Discussion
Objectives
To understand:
- Our leprous state of sin
- Initial and ongoing steps to overcome it
- Jesus’ complete restoration in our lives
Bible Passage
Restoring the Leper: Matt 8:1-4, Luke 5:12-16; Mark 1:40-45. Matt 8 When Jesus came down from the mountain, large crowds followed Him. 2 And a leper came to Him and bowed down before Him, and said, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.” 3 Jesus stretched out His hand and touched him, saying, “I am willing; be cleansed.” And immediately his leprosy was cleansed. 4 And Jesus *said to him, “See that you tell no one; but go, show yourself to the priest and present the offering that Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.”
Introduction
Leprosy is a disease which models sin:
- Harmless sore spreads
- Mutilates parts of the body
- Causes numbness
- Affects nervous system – thinking. [1]
The Rules
They are social outcastes, unkempt with torn clothes; cry unclean, alone, outside camp. Lev 13:45-46
If clean, priest has to go outside camp and examine. Lev 14:3 Mark 1:40-45
Talmud – Maintain 6 ft distance. In direction of wind – 150 ft.
The leper’s faith SCALES Obstacles
S lips through the crowds
C omes to Jesus
A cknowledges His uncleanness
L ooks to the Lord
E xpresses desire for cleansing
S urrenders to Christ’s will in Faith
Slips through the Crowd
Matt 8 When Jesus came down from the mountain, Comes to Jesuslarge crowds followed Him. 2 And a leper came to Him.
A courageous act for a leper who has to maintain social distance legally. He did not allow rules to prevent him from reaching Jesus. He was ready to take the risks.
Comes to Jesus
Matt 8:1 When Jesus came down from the mountain, large crowds followed Him. 2 And a leper came to Him.
He knew Jesus could heal him and was probably his only hope. Do we come to Jesus to meet our need however deep?
Acknowledges His uncleanness
Matt 8:2 and bowed down before Him, and said, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.”
Do we realize our unworthiness? Do we acknowledge our mistakes? That is the first step towards healing. In Jesus’ words “Those who are well have no need of a physician”.
Looks to the Lord
Matt 8:2..and bowed down before Him, and said, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.”
Who do we look to for hope? Whose approval do we seek? Doctors, medicines are also God’s means of healing, but they cannot help in some aspects – particularly spiritual and mental.
Surrenders to Christ’s will in Faith
Matt 8:2.. and bowed down before Him, and said, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.”
When we seek healing in any form, it is essential to put God’s will above ours knowing that He knows best. He is the healer – but His healing may not come in the way we expect.
Restoration
Jesus’ Love STIRS tradition:
- S tretches out his hand
- T ouches him
- I nitiates cleansing
- R estores completely through His word
- S ends him to the priest, the world
He Stretches out his hand
Matt 8:3 Jesus stretched out His hand
Touches him
Matt 8:3 Jesus stretched out His hand and touched him.
In love He touches the untouchable. He could have just spoken the word – but that touch was one that the leper would never have forgotten.
Initiates cleansing
saying, “I am willing; be cleansed.” And immediately his leprosy was cleansed.
Restores completely through His word
Matt 8:2.. and bowed down before Him, and said, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.”
When we seek healing in any form, it is essential to put God’s will above ours knowing that He knows best. He is the healer – but His healing may not come in the way we expect.
Discussion
1.Reflect on the danger of partial restoration for leprosy. Compare with partial restoration from sin.
2.How does physical sickness facilitate restoration from sin?
3.How can we be help restore others from sin?
References
- Dr. Preeti Shinde – notes