Luke 5:12-16

Introduction

Perhaps you have felt like an outcast.

Today, we will be addressing a passage concerning a man who certainly felt like an outcast, yet not just from people, but from God.

Main Point: Jesus cleanses us by his death and resurrection so that we are able to be in the presence of God, and Jesus demonstrates that we avoid self-worship by prayer.

Acts 10:38 ESV

how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.

Luke 5:12–16 ESV

While he was in one of the cities, there came a man full of leprosy. And when he saw Jesus, he fell on his face and begged him, “Lord, if you will, you can make me clean.” And Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, “I will; be clean.” And immediately the leprosy left him. And he charged him to tell no one, but “go and show yourself to the priest, and make an offering for your cleansing, as Moses commanded, for a proof to them.” But now even more the report about him went abroad, and great crowds gathered to hear him and to be healed of their infirmities. But he would withdraw to desolate places and pray.

The Lexham Bible Dictionary Guidelines regarding Skin Diseases according to the Bible

Guidelines regarding Skin Diseases according to the Bible

• The skin diseases are detailed in Lev 13. If it is a new infection, the person is to be put in isolation for seven days, followed by an additional seven days if no change has occurred. If there has been no change in the infection after 14 days, the person is considered to be clean. If there has been any change, the person is considered unclean until the infection disappears (and thus indefinitely).

• Response to having a skin disease. The priest’s role is significant, as shown in Lev 13 where 11 instances of “he shall pronounce him unclean” and seven instances of “he shall pronounce him clean” occur. A mention of a person being clean or unclean without an announcement of the priest’s pronouncing it is rare. (The word translated as “leprosy” is also used for clothing, and thus may refer to some sort of mold).

• Required actions of one pronounced unclean. The diseased person must live alone outside the camp, wear torn clothes, keep his or her hair disheveled, cover his or her upper lip, and cry out “unclean, unclean” (Lev 13:45–46).

• In order to be considered clean, the person must go to a priest. The official cleanliness ceremony includes cleaning of clothes, shaving of hair, and a ritual cleansing. Additionally, at least one lamb—if the person was too poor for multiple lambs, birds could be used as a substitution—and flour and oil must be given as an offering (Lev 14).

English Standard Version (Chapter 5)

18 Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for fall men.

English Standard Version (Chapter 7)

25 Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.

26 For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens.

Therefore, it is clear that Jesus is able to make us clean to be in the presence of God.

Afterward, we learn something important about Jesus and the priority of prayer. In our day, private prayer is rare. Outreach is encouraged. Bible studies are promoted, yet prayer is neglected. Often, we attend Christian camps and mission trips where prayer is not prioritized, but it is left up to chance.

Jesus, at the height of his ministry forsakes the attention of the people for communion with God. You may say, ‘Does Jesus not care about those who are still sick?’ Yet, while he does, he makes it known that the spiritual realities are his priority.

Jesus demonstrates that by prayer, we avoid self-worship.