Words about the WORD - Neil Bennett - First Baptist Church
Look at Jesus
“While Jesus was in one of the towns, a man came along who was covered with leprosy. When he saw Jesus, he fell with his face to the ground and begged him, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.” Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” And immediately the leprosy left him. Then Jesus ordered him, “Don’t tell anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them.”” (Luke 5:12–14, NIV)
When you do family devotions in your home and you come to a story like this, it is easy to focus on the man with leprosy and say, “When we are sick, we can ask Jesus for healing.” This is certainly true! But there are many more truths to be discerned from this wonderful gospel story. I think the reason we focus on the man with leprosy is that we see ourselves as sick and troubled and in need of the healing that Jesus brings.
People usually read the Bible wanting to know what a particular Bible story has to do with them. But if you really want to understand a passage like this on a deeper level, we must focus on Christ and ask, “What does this passage teach us about Jesus?” When we look at the Savior, we will discover that He is more wonderful than we can imagine. As we study this passage and turn the spotlight on Jesus, here are some things we will notice:
1. JESUS TOUCHED THE LEPEROUS MAN
Leprosy was an isolating disease that forced a person to live apart from their family and friends. When was the last time someone had actually touched this man? Jesus demonstrates compassion by touching the untouchable. No matter what our spiritual or physical condition, Jesus cares about us.
2. JESUS WAS NOT WORRIED ABOUT BECOMING UNCLEAN
Leprosy was a dreaded disease that caused a leper and anyone in contact with them to become unclean in the eyes of the Law. Jesus’ power makes the unclean clean. No matter how desperate our spiritual condition, Jesus can make us well!
3. JESUS CROSSED THE GAP BETWEEN HIMSELF AND THE LEPROUS MAN
The leper surely felt unworthy to come all the way to Jesus, but Jesus reaches out and bridges the gap to come all the way to him. Jesus can meet us in our place of deepest need.
4. JESUS TOUCHES THE MAN FIRST AND THEN HEALS HIM
Jesus does not wait to show compassion to those whose lives are on track and doing well, but he feels compassion for us and reaches out to us when we are in our worst possible condition.
5. THE MAN WAS FULL OF LEPROSY, BUT JESUS HEALS HIM EASILY
Some people are reluctant to come to Jesus to save them because they think they that they have messed up their lives so badly that they are beyond redemption. Jesus demonstrates that no one is beyond the reach of his saving power. “Behold, the Lord’s hand is not so short that it cannot save….” (Isaiah 59:1, NASB95)
6. THE LEPER SAYS TO JESUS, “IF YOU ARE WILLING, YOU CAN MAKE ME CLEAN.”
Jesus is both willing and able to help! That is the perfect combination of everything we need in a Savior! Jesus is always willing and always able to help us when we are in trouble. We just have to be willing to approach him. Like the leper who came to Christ, let us fall before Jesus in total surrender and trust ourselves to the Lord who is willing and able to save!
There are many more things we could say about this wonderful Bible story. When you read Bible passages like this at home, be sure to ask questions like, “What does this passage teach us about Jesus? We need to spend time looking and thinking about our wonderful Savior. We will worship him better and love Him more as we turn to or focus upon Him. As you read the Bible, keep looking to Jesus! In the words of the old hymn:
Turn your eyes upon Jesus.
Look full in His wonderful face
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.
