Jesus Heals a man of Leprosy

Mark 1:39–45 CSB

39 He went into all of Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons. 40 Then a man with leprosy came to him and, on his knees, begged him: “If you are willing, you can make me clean.” 41 Moved with compassion, Jesus reached out his hand and touched him. “I am willing,” he told him. “Be made clean.” 42 Immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean. 43 Then he sternly warned him and sent him away at once, 44 telling him, “See that you say nothing to anyone; but go and show yourself to the priest, and offer what Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them.” 45 Yet he went out and began to proclaim it widely and to spread the news, with the result that Jesus could no longer enter a town openly. But he was out in deserted places, and they came to him from everywhere.

Mark 1:35–38 CSB

35 Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he got up, went out, and made his way to a deserted place; and there he was praying. 36 Simon and his companions searched for him, 37 and when they found him they said, “Everyone is looking for you.” 38 And he said to them, “Let’s go on to the neighboring villages so that I may preach there too. This is why I have come.”

I. Jesus did miracles, but had a greater purpose.

(CSB) 39 He went into all of Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons.

A. Jesus was not sent to display miracles, but used miracles for his mission.

(CSB) 39 He went into all of Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons.

A MAN CLEANSED

39 He went into all of Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons.

Illus: Let’s be clear about Jesus mission.

Jesus was born of a virgin, lived the perfect life, was tempted in every way but did not sin, live the true and righteous life, willingly died on the cross in our place and was resurrected from the dead.

This is why God sent Jesus to the earth.

BUT while he was on the earth he did many other things. He taught, healed, fed 5000, played with children, cried, turned over tables, and walked on water.

Each of these moments in Jesus life was for the distinct purpose of helping men understand who he was and what he came to do.

His miracles underscored his mission. Jesus’ purpose was not to do miracles, but Jesus used miracles to prove who he was.

Illus: After telling a man who was paralyzed that his sins were forgiven.... Jesus responded to the pharisees doubts…

(CSB) 9 Which is easier: to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, take your mat, and walk’? 10 But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he told the paralytic—11 “I tell you: get up, take your mat, and go home.”

9 Which is easier: to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, take your mat, and walk’? 10 But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he told the paralytic—11 “I tell you: get up, take your mat, and go home.”

B. Miracles helped people know who Jesus was.

(CSB) 39 He went into all of Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons.

Illus: Let me read you the description of one of my favorite sandwiches from over in natchez…The roast beef and gravy poboy from Fat Mamas: French bread with thin sliced homemade roast beef and gravy topped with shredded cabbage, sliced tomato and pickle.

Factually you know what is in the sandwich. Listening to the description you might even thing… This sounds pretty good.

All of that said, until you tasted the sandwich you really can’t understand the crunch of the bread mixed with the slight soppyness of the gravy. You don’t know the savoriness of the meat mixed with the tartness of the pickle....

Watch me now, there is a difference between knowing something factually and experiencing it. You can “know” something factually but never really know it deep down.

Jesus could have come and simply told people who he was, shared with them what he was supposed to do… but instead he displayed who he was through miracles and compassion.

We know God in a far deeper way than knowledge. We know him through experience.

Illus: (CSB) 17 Therefore I have reason to boast in Christ Jesus regarding what pertains to God. 18 For I would not dare say anything except what Christ has accomplished through me by word and deed for the obedience of the Gentiles, 19 by the power of miraculous signs and wonders, and by the power of God’s Spirit. As a result, I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum., 20 My aim is to preach the gospel where Christ has not been named, so that I will not build on someone else’s foundation, 21 but, as it is written,

(CSB) 17 Therefore I have reason to boast in Christ Jesus regarding what pertains to God. 18 For I would not dare say anything except what Christ has accomplished through me by word and deed for the obedience of the Gentiles, 19 by the power of miraculous signs and wonders, and by the power of God’s Spirit. As a result, I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum., 20 My aim is to preach the gospel where Christ has not been named, so that I will not build on someone else’s foundation, 21 but, as it is written,

17 Therefore I have reason to boast in Christ Jesus regarding what pertains to God. 18 For I would not dare say anything except what Christ has accomplished through me by word and deed for the obedience of the Gentiles, 19 by the power of miraculous signs and wonders, and by the power of God’s Spirit. As a result, I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum., 20 My aim is to preach the gospel where Christ has not been named, so that I will not build on someone else’s foundation, 21 but, as it is written,

Those who were not told about him will see,

and those who have not heard will understand.,

II. A God honoring heart is a compassionate heart.

(CSB) 40 Then a man with leprosy, came to him and, on his knees,, begged him: “If you are willing, you can make me clean.” 41 Moved with compassion,, Jesus reached out his hand and touched him. “I am willing,” he told him. “Be made clean.” 42 Immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean.

40 Then a man with leprosy, came to him and, on his knees,, begged him: “If you are willing, you can make me clean.” 41 Moved with compassion,, Jesus reached out his hand and touched him. “I am willing,” he told him. “Be made clean.” 42 Immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean.

A. The way in which Jesus heals the leper helps us understand both the power and love of Jesus.

(CSB) 40 Then a man with leprosy, came to him and, on his knees,, begged him: “If you are willing, you can make me clean.” 41 Moved with compassion,, Jesus reached out his hand and touched him. “I am willing,” he told him. “Be made clean.” 42 Immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean.

40 Then a man with leprosy, came to him and, on his knees,, begged him: “If you are willing, you can make me clean.” 41 Moved with compassion,, Jesus reached out his hand and touched him. “I am willing,” he told him. “Be made clean.” 42 Immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean.

Illus:Lets just walk through a few facts about lepracy...

1. Leprosy was a skin disease where sores would form all over your body.

2. When it is discovered that you were sick, you would be declared “unclean” and put in isolation for 7 days followed by an additional 7 days if the sores had not spread. If after 14 days, you began to heal, you would be considered “clean” and allowed to come out of isolation. If the rash spread, you would be considered clean indefinatly until the rash subsides. this means that many who contracted leprosy formed villages outside of town because they did not heal.

this means that many who contracted leprosy formed villages outside of town because they did not heal.

3. The only one who could pronounce one clean or unclean was the priest.

4. If you were pronounced unclean, you had to live outside of the city, wear torn clothes, had to keep your hair messy, and then when people walked by you had to tell them “unclean, unclean”. Most of all, you could not touch anyone.

5. To be considered clean, you must show the rash subsiding to a priest, have your clothes cleaned, head shaved, and sacrifice one or more lambs for your cleanliness.

Watch what Jesus does.

1. Jesus touches the man. Strictly forbidden.

2. Jesus declares him clean, not as a priest, but as the true great and high prienst.

3. Jesus does not shave his head, clean his clothes… they wern’t needed he was enough.

4. Jesus did not sacrifice a lamb because he was the true lamb.

(CSB) 14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens—Jesus the Son of God—let us hold fast to our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in every way as we are, yet without sin. 16 Therefore, let us approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in time of need.

(CSB) 14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens—Jesus the Son of God—let us hold fast to our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in every way as we are, yet without sin. 16 Therefore, let us approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in time of need.

OUR GREAT HIGH PRIEST

14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens—Jesus the Son of God—let us hold fast to our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in every way as we are, yet without sin. 16 Therefore, let us approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in time of need.

B. You are never too busy to act in compassion.

(CSB) 40 Then a man with leprosy, came to him and, on his knees,, begged him: “If you are willing, you can make me clean.” 41 Moved with compassion,, Jesus reached out his hand and touched him. “I am willing,” he told him. “Be made clean.” 42 Immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean.

Illus: The bible teaches that one of the major ways that the world comes to know Jesus is through our love.

The world experiences the love of God through people who have been changed by him.

Here is what that means… We need to live out the love we claim to be changed by.

I don’t think we intend to be unloving, but I believe busyness keeps us from genuinely loving people.

I talked with a member this week who saw a backpacker walking through town. He was on his way to get subway for lunch. Instead of just ignoring the backpacker, he went to subway, ordered a footlong sub instead of the 6 inch, found the backpacker and ate with him in the parking lot… This act of love gave our member the opportunity to have a spiritual conversation with the man...

Often what is needed open the door to the gospel is a viable show of love on our part.

(CSB) 34 “I give you a new command: Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you are also to love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

(CSB) 8 Finally, all of you be like-minded and sympathetic, love one another, and be compassionate and humble,

DO NO EVIL

8 Finally, all of you be like-minded and sympathetic, love one another, and be compassionate and humble,

III. Why did Jesus tell the the healed man to tell no one?

(CSB) 43 Then he sternly warned him and sent him away at once, 44 telling him, “See that you say nothing to anyone; but go and show yourself to the priest, and offer what Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them.” 45 Yet he went out and began to proclaim it widely and to spread the news, with the result that Jesus could no longer enter a town openly. But he was out in deserted places, and they came to him from everywhere.

43 Then he sternly warned him and sent him away at once, 44 telling him, “See that you say nothing to anyone; but go and show yourself to the priest, and offer what Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them.” 45 Yet he went out and began to proclaim it widely and to spread the news, with the result that Jesus could no longer enter a town openly. But he was out in deserted places, and they came to him from everywhere.

A. though healing a man born with leprosy was important, it was not Jesus’ mission.

Illus: When word spread about Jesus’ healing, people began to surround him begging for his healing touch. Jesus understood the temptation and did all he could to keep the main thing, the main thing.

We are called to act in love… to support our gospel mission.

good works, with our the gospel message accomplish very little.

(CSB) 30 Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples that are not written in this book. 31 But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God,, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

(CSB) 30 Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples that are not written in this book. 31 But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God,, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

THE PURPOSE OF THIS GOSPEL

30 Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples that are not written in this book. 31 But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God,, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

I. Never underestimate the necessity of daily time with God.

34 “I give you a new command: Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you are also to love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

II.