Mark 1:40-45 - Hope for our disease

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Thus saith the Lord

Mark 1:40–45 NASB95

And a leper came to Jesus, beseeching Him and falling on his knees before Him, and saying, “If You are willing, You can make me clean.” Moved with compassion, Jesus stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, “I am willing; be cleansed.” Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cleansed. And He sternly warned him and immediately sent him away, and He said to him, “See that you say nothing to anyone; but go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.” But he went out and began to proclaim it freely and to spread the news around, to such an extent that Jesus could no longer publicly enter a city, but stayed out in unpopulated areas; and they were coming to Him from everywhere.

Introduction: 1)Review, 2)the nature of Leprosy, 3)the almighty power of the Lord, 4) A time to speak and a time to be silent

Review: The Gospel Message - Jesus’ ministry

Mark 1:40 “And a leper came to Jesus, beseeching Him and falling on his knees before Him, and saying, “If You are willing, You can make me clean.””

The Nature of Leprosy

Jesus healed a leper

Next to raising Lazarus and Jairus’ daughter from the dead, these healings were his most wonderful

Only two cases in the Gospel - this is one

What is Hansen’s Disease (Leprosy)? (CDC)

Hansen’s disease (also known as leprosy) is an infection caused by bacteria called Mycobacterium leprae. These bacteria grow very slowly and it may take up to 20 years to develop signs of the infection.

The disease can affect the nerves, skin, eyes, and lining of the nose (nasal mucosa). The bacteria attack the nerves, which can become swollen under the skin. This can cause the affected areas to lose the ability to sense touch and pain, which can lead to injuries, like cuts and burns. Usually, the affected skin changes color and either becomes: lighter or darker, often dry or flaky, with loss of feeling, or reddish due to inflammation of the skin.

If left untreated, the nerve damage can result in paralysis of hands and feet. In very advanced cases, the person may have multiple injuries due to lack of sensation, and eventually the body may reabsorb the affected digits over time, resulting in the apparent loss of toes and fingers. Corneal ulcers and blindness can also occur if facial nerves are affected. Other signs of advanced Hansen’s disease may include loss of eyebrows and saddle-nose deformity resulting from damage to the nasal septum.

Needless to say, this is an awful disease

In Bible times, they did not understand it, so it was incurable

It is more than just a skin infection - attacks the whole person

blood, flesh bones

patient gets disfigured

Jews - reckoned unclean - cut off from society, ordinances of the faith - dwelt separately

No one could touch or serve them

Extreme pain, suffering, loneliness

Do we have anything like leprosy?

Physical - Poor and Homeless (but that is curable)

Elderly

Spiritual

Sin - part of our very nature

Sticks to our flesh and bone with deadly force

Makes us disgusting, unfit for a relationship with God, unacceptable for glory in heaven

Incurable by any earthly doctor - dragging us slowly to death and the wrath of God

We are all, an unclean thing (Isaiah 64:6)

Do we know this? Are we aware of our condition?

Aware of our sin, guilt, corruption?

If we do know, this is good news - we can seek a cure!

Those who never come to terms with their condition, are ruined eternally

God’s reasons for physical sickness

Demonstrate His power

Bring you to faith, or back to faith

Bring you home

Mark 1:40-42 “And a leper came to Jesus, beseeching Him and falling on his knees before Him, and saying, “If You are willing, You can make me clean.” Moved with compassion, Jesus stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, “I am willing; be cleansed.” Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cleansed.”

The Almighty Power of Jesus

This leper came to Jesus - begging and kneeling before Him

thru the guiding of the Holy Spirit, he came to the only cure for His condition

He showed his faith “If you will, you can make me clean”

Jesus Compassion - the best physician

I will, be clean - He said

the leper was cured instantly - didnt take days, hours or weeks - the disease left his skin, bones, body

A word and a touch - and a leper became a healthy man

For this man, the change was amazing and wonderful

morning a leper - evening a sound, healthy man ful of hope and joy

Like being raised from the dead!

Lesson: Let us praise God that we have an almighty Saviour!

Great news - nothing is impossible

No heart- disease is incurable

Never worry about anyone’s salvation

The worst sinners (lepers) can be cleansed

Two cases in the Bible - Jesus made them whole

The blood and Spirit of Christ can cure anyone

Men not lost because they are too bad, but because they won’t come to Jesus

Mark 1:43–45 NASB95

And He sternly warned him and immediately sent him away, and He said to him, “See that you say nothing to anyone; but go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.” But he went out and began to proclaim it freely and to spread the news around, to such an extent that Jesus could no longer publicly enter a city, but stayed out in unpopulated areas; and they were coming to Him from everywhere.

Last point: A time to speak and a time for silence

Jesus instructed the man to tell no one but the priests

This was a testimony not only for the people, but for the priests

The man, in his excitement, disobeyed

Jesus could not lodge anymore in the towns after that - had to stay in the desert

Important lesson here, but hard to put it into practice

Times when the Lord prefers to work quietly and not attract public attention

Sometimes, in our enthusiasm, we can hurt the cause of Christ more than help it.

Examples

China, Muslim countries

Workplace - seek opportunities to privately share the Gospel

Here in the mission, you’ll not get in trouble for sharing your faith

The world outside is different - it is hostile to the Gospel

This is a difficult and delicate subject

We want to tell the world about Christ! People are dying and risking eternity in hell!

Having said that, many Christians are too afraid to confess Christ before men - in a hostile world- they need to be encouraged

More zeal than discretion - can help Satan with indiscreet speech

We need to seek wisdom and a sound mind

Seek discretion and good sense

Be bold in confessing Christ - be brave to speak truth to power

Beware of doing harm by misguided enthusiasm

Bringing it home:

Horrible afflictions

Christ can and does cure

Use wisdom in your witness and testimony

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