I Will - 2

Introduction

Leprosy

Was the most terrible disease of Jesus day.

It was greatly feared, as AIDS would be greatly feared today.

It would disfigure the person to the point of being unrecognizable.

In the Bible, leprosy was associated with sin.

In the Bible, leprosy was associated with sin.

The leper was considered unclean – physically and spiritually.

He was not allowed to to come within 6 feet of another person.

His clothes must always be torn, and his head shaved.

He had to walk around with his mouth covered at all times, and continuously yell "unclean, unclean!"

He was considered "the living dead".

Because of this he was ordered to wear black all the time.

He was banished from society and not allowed to enter the Temple.

He was considered someone with no hope of ever going to heaven.

states

"all the days where in the plague shall be in him he shall be defiled; he is unclean; he shall dwell alone; without the camp shall his habitation be"

This disease is considered incurable, if it was cured it can only be cured by God. Keep this in mind as we watched Jesus.

I) The Lepers Faith

He was full of disease

like the AIDS patient when it was discovered

They were “untouchable”

we were scared

unsure of how to handle such a disease

ILLUST - The first person I saw with AIDS

Jesus was different!

That is the whole point of this event, Jesus is different, he will touch the untouchable and he will cleanse the untouchable.

The leper:

Saw Jesus and forgot:

All the people around Jesus.

The shame of his condition.

His embarrassment.

Forgot the rules, and approached Jesus within 6 foot.

At that point, nothing mattered but the hope of being cured.

Nothing was going to stop him.

Show great humility falling on his face before Jesus.

How many of us are willing to do that today?

The man's confession – he called Jesus "Lord"

The man's request:

Was to be healed – not cleansed.

Meaning both physical and spiritual!

(CSB)

17 The sacrifice pleasing to God is a broken spirit. You will not despise a broken and humbled heart, God.

(CSB)

17 When Jesus heard this, he told them, “It is not those who are well who need a doctor, but those who are sick. I didn’t come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

II) Jesus Compassion

After all this, Jesus is greatly moved with compassion.

The side of this man grab Jesus by the heart.

Jesus compassion came because:

The man was full of sores

His flesh was eaten away.

He was lonely and alienated.

His life was empty and hopeless.

He was desperate.

This is where the "I will" comes from!

The man begs Jesus, "if you will make me clean"

Jesus so full of compassion does something that is completely unheard of:

He states "I will" and then touches the man!

Can you imagine – for years this man has probably never been touched by human.

The wonderful feeling of knowing that someone could love him that much that he was willing to risk catching the disease that crippled this man.

Jesus wills for the Untouchables, the dirty, the week to be cleansed and restored.

(CSB)

9 In all their suffering, he suffered, and the angel of his presence saved them. He redeemed them because of his love and compassion; he lifted them up and carried them all the days of the past.

III) Jesus Command

Jesus gave to commands to this newly cleansed man:

"Do not tell anyone"

Jesus knew if the word had gotten out about why he had done it would be more difficult for him to stay on message.

If the word got out – his message would be diminished, because all people it won't would be the healing.

Jesus second command – "obey God"

The man needed to worship and thank God for the healing.

He needed to follow the law, and show himself claim to the priest.

So that he could be welcomed back into society and rejoin his family, as the Mosaic law demanded.

(CSB)

2 Like newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the word, so that you may grow up into your salvation,

3 if you have tasted that the Lord is good.

IV) The Lepers Obedience and Disobedience

The other Gospels tell us that the man did not stay silent.

By taking his time, telling everyone what it happened, he delayed thanking God for the healing.

This may have led to many rumors, and untruths about what actually had happened.

Because of that Jesus message would lose much of its meaning.

And until the priest the man was still a leper in the as a law.

Think about this:

What honor did it do for the man to praise Jesus with his tongue, and dishonor him with his actions?

There are many in the world you can talk a great talk.

And many in the world you can show great action.

But few in the world that can talk the talk and walk the walk.

INVITATION TIME