Luke 5:12–26

We all believe God is all powerful, all loving, all knowing, and sovereign. But sometimes we doubt God will act on our behalf. Omniscient, omnipotent, omnipresent, omnibenevolent are all words that describe God’s attributes. God is unlimited in goodness, God will never leave us or forsake us, God is able to do anything, God knows all and sees all.

Believing God can and doubting God will is the reality and the tension we often experience between faith and doubt. I believe God can but I doubt God will do it for me.

God is too busy taking care of everyone else.

God is tending to more important people or more urgent issues.

I have not been good enough for God to help.

I been so bad God will never waste his time helping me.

These are all excuses that Jesus dismisses in . God has called you here today, to tell you he compassionately hears your needs and has the authority and willingness to intercede in your life and situation.

Jesus has the compassion and authority to cleanse and forgive us.

Read 5:12–13 and pray

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Luke 5:12–13 NASB95

While He was in one of the cities, behold, there was a man covered with leprosy; and when he saw Jesus, he fell on his face and implored Him, saying, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.” And He stretched out His hand and touched him, saying, “I am willing; be cleansed.” And immediately the leprosy left him.

Next slide:

Jesus will cleanse us, because he is compassionate

helps us understand the the defilement and isolation associated with leprosy.

Leprosy was more than just Hansen’s disease we think of today. Leprosy described various skin conditions, but all of them ritually defiled a person and caused them to be cut off from the community. Leprosy was viewed and a symptom of sin. Leprosy is a symbol of sin and the effects it has in our lives. The Jewish historian Josephus, described a leper as “dead men walking.”

Leviticus 14:45–46 NASB95

“He shall therefore tear down the house, its stones, and its timbers, and all the plaster of the house, and he shall take them outside the city to an unclean place. “Moreover, whoever goes into the house during the time that he has quarantined it, becomes unclean until evening.

Leviticus 14:

Ephesians 2:1 NASB95

And you were dead in your trespasses and sins,

Ephesians 2:

Broken fellowship, broken relationships, and broken hope all drive the leper to Jesus.

The leper was to take two birds, some cedar wood, scarlet yarn, and hyssop to the priest.

The priest would examine him.

Kill one of the birds above fresh water, symbolizing cleansing.

Apply the blood to the other bird, and set it free.

shave and bath and rejoin his family for 7 days.

On the 8th day he shaved again and offered a guilt sacrifice of 2 unblemished lambs. Not for atonement, but restitution for past missed offering.

the rest of our lives are to be a testimony of Jesus’ compassion.

the blood was applied to his right ear, thumb, and toe and anointed with oil.

All this was a testimony that the man would listen to God’s voice, use his hands for God’s glory, and walk in his ways.

Prayer produces power to turn doubt into hope.

Do we have the compassion to act on the behalf others, as Jesus did for us?

Jesus will forgive us, because he has authority