Untitled Sermon

Game Changer: A League of His Own

Jesus’ Authority over Leprosy

Introduction: GameChanger, Jesus is the Game Changer! Like in any sports even there is a defining moment that determines the ultimate outcome - spiritually this defining moment is Jesus’ earthly ministry and that Jesus steps onto the scene He begins to redefine how man sees, understands and relates to God.

Recap: Last week we began looking at Jesus’ Authority as he begins immediately stepping onto the scene and not just teaching and preaching, but also exercising his authority over demons by casting them out of people. This week we continue to see Jesus’ authority over not just demons, but also disease.

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Today we are seeing a transition of Jesus’ ministry beginning with Him ministering in Capernaum by preaching the gospel and casting out demons, He then moves from Capernaum continuing to do the same ministry, but then he performs a new miracle by healing a man of his leprosy. We are reminded of a people needy of Jesus’ grace and we are faced with having to answer one large question from our text, being

How do we see Jesus seeking out those needy of His grace?

As we look at our text today we will see three specific actions Jesus does to answer this question:

He moves on from Capernaum

He moves with compassion

He moves out of the cities

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He Moves On from Capernaum ()

His Prayers (35-36)

Jesus himself depends upon the Father

This suggests that Mark sees this as an important point in the ministry, at which Jesus seeks guidance. This is confirmed in Jesus’ words to the disciples, where he provides a second reason for his departure: his intention is to preach in the neighbouring villages. The real contrast is not between preaching and healing, but between a ministry confined to one spot and a mission to the whole area. There is no suggestion here that Mark thinks of Jesus’ leaving Capernaum because he feels that his reception there has been mistaken; he leaves because he must do in the rest of Galilee what he has already done in Capernaum. -Blacks NT Commentary

Jesus prioritizes his time with the Father

His Purpose (37-39)

Jesus goal is not addition, its multiplication.

If Jesus stays in Capernaum would his ministry grow? Yes

But Jesus moves on because he understands His ministry calling is not to increase a crowd, but to introduce people to the gospel message.

Multiplication says move and Add

The ministry of the Messiah is to multiply the gospel message, not addition of it.

As a church this is one of our desires, to multiply not just to make disciples but to multiply them!

He Moves with Compassion ()

Planting new churches is the most effective means for multiplying the gospel

The condition of the man (v. 40)

Leper: “Unclean!”

Leprosy: a range of diseases from simple psoriasis to full blown leprosy (a disease that characteristically detroys a persons nerve endings in parts of the body until their body begins to decay and ultimately a person would die as a result.

Spiritually in a Jewish sense when was diagnosed they were ceremonially unclean and to prevent other people from possibly being contaminated were ostracized, meaning they were not allowed contact with other people who were not infected and would have to be responsible to keep their distance.

Emotionally: As this person continues to announce to the world that he is “Unclean” he begins to see himself not as who he is, but what he has. The world was call him a leper, which was a lie and Jesus comes giving him truth.

Lie #1: You can’t change (A man with leprosy vs. a leper)

While this man’s world would call him a leper, the Scripture calls this man someone “With leprosy”. YOU ARE NOT YOUR PROBLEM! (You are not anxious, a loser, a leper; you’re a person with a problem) God see’s you, He loves you in spite of your problem.

Lie #2: God doesn’t care (If you’re willing)

This man never doubted what Jesus could do, He doubted what Jesus would do.

The Compassion of the Savior (41-42)

Moved with Compassion: Greek work (orgeis) indicating not compassion but anger!

It seems best to conclude that Mark does not intend us to understand Jesus’ anger as directed against the leper at all, but against the evil forces which have claimed the man as their victim. The responsibility of Satan for illness is referred to in , and is probably assumed here, even though Satan is not specifically mentioned. Anger is an appropriate emotion when one is confronted with the devastating effects of disease.

But also the devastating effects of sin!

Anger is okay and even justified ()

Touches this man

In touching this man, Jesus did not simply run the risk of catching the leprosy, but also made himself unclean according to the regulations of the Mosaic Law. Yet the outcome of the story is not that Jesus is made unclean, but that the leper is made clean! Jesus’ power to cleanse is thus demonstrably greater than the power of the leprosy to contaminate.

, Naaman approches Elisha to touch and heal him of his leprosy, but rather Elisha knows he cannot and rather sends him to the Jordan River for God to heal him. But Jesus, being greater than Elisha and the Prophets , being God Himself can touch and heal this man.

He Moves out of the Cities ()

Jesus command

Say nothing to anyone

Greek double negative; repeated for emphasis. Jesus does not want this guy telling everyone what Jesus has done for him because it will hinder Jesus’ mission.

The man’s reaction

He completely disobeys.

Jesus has to move his entire ministry because of this guy.

Contrasted with () Jesus casts out demons, commands that they do not speak of him and they obey.

Here, he heals a leper gives him a command and he completely fails him

Jesus adjusts His ministry to this man’s disobedience!

Our obedience is not the deciding factor of Jesus’ work in our lives but rather it’s our passion to glorify God.

Demons: obey, but do not glorify God

Leper: disobeys, but glorifies God

The final measurement of our faith is our glory to God.