Cleansing

Intro

My smoker. After a while, I need to clean it. Wipe it down by hand or turn up to a temperature that destroys everything inside. For long-term effectiveness, I have to rid it of impurities.

Need: By nature we are full of impurities. Our thoughts and motives need to be changed because they exercise themself outwardly. What we try to do is find things to cure that. Podcasts, books, medications. They all have their place, but they can’t do the ultimate thing: cleanse us. Jesus cleanses us.

Main Idea: Jesus restores through cleansing

Story of man with leprosy. Could have been 72 different skin diseases. Considered “unclean.” OT saw people with skin diseases as stricken by God because of sin. Couldn’t go in temple. Couldn’t be around people. People would yell “unclean” if someone was around. Gave up family, social status, work, fellowship, and worship. All of that matters for the story.

Luke 5:12-16

Truth #1: Jesus cleanses, which only God can do (12-13)

Exp. Full of leprosy = everywhere. Never touched Jesus. begged him. “Make me clean.” Two things to notice:

Calls Jesus Lord. Acknowledging his deity.

Doesn’t say “heal me.” He needs more. Needs cleansing because he is unclean before God. Verse 13. His cleansing brought healing and forgiveness. Gave him something greater.

Ill. Reminds me of our church’s giving. There was a time when we asked for more so we could pay Jacque. You have given so much that our smaller ministry lines are all taken care of. Of course this man would also be healed. He was cleansed!

Arg. The scandal is that Jesus touched him. When Jesus’ holiness meets our uncleanness, his holiness isn’t at stake. Our uncleanness is. Jesus didn’t say, “God, heal this man.” He cleansed the man. The leprosy completely left his body.

Christ - Jesus has the power to heal diseases. He was willing to touch those who are unclean. Pharisees couldn’t understand this. God would never touch something unclean. The truth is: Jesus is the only way to be made clean. Washed with his blood.

App. What do we do?

Point people to the ultimate cleanser. Only Jesus can cleanse.

Step into helping those who are “unclean.” LOT Ministry. Life 107.

Truth #2: Jesus instructs offerings, which only priests can do (14)

Exp. Jesus then instructs the man on what to do. Verse 14.

Tell no one. People would come for healing and not listen to the message. He cares more about this man’s cleansing and reintroduction to society than he is the crowds.

Go to the priest. Priest would deem someone clean. Then give instructions on an offering.

Make an offering. They haven’t been able to worship, now they must atone for sins.

Ill. Like an athlete who goes months without training. Your body has to catch up. He has a lot of sin to atone for.

Arg. Jesus is stepping into the priestly role. Commanding this man to fulfill the law.

Christ - The instruction was to fulfill the law which is what Jesus came to do. Jesus said he didn’t come to abolish it, but to fulfill it. As Jesus instructed the man to make a sacrifice and be brought back into the family of Go, that’s what he does with us. He finds the unclean, is the priest who intercedes with the father, he’s the sacrifice to atone for sin, and he brings us into the family of God.

App. What do we do?

Make an offering. Jesus is the ultimate sacrifice. He eliminated sin to be with you. What is keeping you from him? Work? School?

Truth #3: Jesus prays, which all believers can do (15-16)

Exp. Even though Jesus told him not to speak, word got out. Verse 15-16. First, hear him. Second, heal of infirmities. Luke always places Jesus’ preaching ministry before his healing ministry. Why? Preaching ministry informs healing ministry. Notice what he did:

Withdrew to a desolate places. Desolate = uninhabited. Alone. Praying to God alone is important. Multiple times.

Pray. Speak to God. Rest in his presence. Why?

Communion with the Father. Jesus needed it.

Prepare for what’s next. Pharisees in the next passage.

Ill. College students and comfort zone. What would you do? Beat my chest and “Let’s go.” Prepared myself for it. I should have prayed. Now, I pray. I’ve made it important to pray before meetings. Jesus is likely praying in preparation for all that’s next.

App. What does your prayer life look like? Are you so busy that you can’t find time to pray? Here’s what you need to do:

Plan prayer. The Common Rule says pray morning, lunch, and bedtime. Setting aside time allows for withdrawal. “I don’t want it to become meaningless.” The alternative is not praying. Start here.

Plan to prayer at certain moments. Feeling anxious. About to do something out of comfort zone. Overwhelmed. Overstimulated. Withdraw and spend time with God.

Start praying. If I ask you about your walk, you’ll say “I need to read Bible more and pray more.” Default answer. Start. How do I do it? Matthew 6 or ask someone here.

Christ - Jesus desired communion with the father. That’s why he prayed. Not to get something out of him. Does your heart desire God? If not, you need to ask why? What are you desiring? Jesus made a way back to God and we can now approach the throne with confidence.

Conclusion

Where are you at today? Maybe you need cleansing? Maybe you have shunned those “unclean”? Maybe your heart isn’t longing after God?