This month, the miracle I focus in on is the one we read about in Mark 1:40-45 when Jesus cleanses the leper. I hope this little verse and meditation can be a blessing to you today. Much love, Lucy x
The Miracles Of God- Jesus Cleanses The Leper
Mark 1:40-45
“Now a leper came to Him, imploring Him, kneeling down to Him and saying to Him, “If You are willing, You can make me clean.” Then Jesus, moved with compassion, stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, “I am willing; be cleansed.” As soon as He had spoken, immediately the leprosy left him, and he was cleansed.
And He strictly warned him and sent him away at once, and said to him, “See that you say nothing to anyone; but go your way, show yourself to the priest, and offer for your cleansing those things which Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.”
However, he went out and began to proclaim it freely, and to spread the matter, so that Jesus could no longer openly enter the city, but was outside in deserted places; and they came to Him from every direction.”
“Jesus cleansed the leper with His touch and outstretched hand,The Miracles Of God- Jesus Cleanses The Leper
Mark 1:40-45
“Now a leper came to Him, imploring Him, kneeling down to Him and saying to Him, “If You are willing, You can make me clean.” Then Jesus, moved with compassion, stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, “I am willing; be cleansed.” As soon as He had spoken, immediately the leprosy left him, and he was cleansed.
And He strictly warned him and sent him away at once, and said to him, “See that you say nothing to anyone; but go your way, show yourself to the priest, and offer for your cleansing those things which Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.”
However, he went out and began to proclaim it freely, and to spread the matter, so that Jesus could no longer openly enter the city, but was outside in deserted places; and they came to Him from every direction.”
Oh cure our illnesses, we ask, Lord, utter Your command!
Father, bring us healing; restore us, Lord, we pray.
Jehovah Rapha, Great Physician, hear our prayer today!”
Jeremiah 17:14
“Heal me, Lord, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise.”
Insight and Reflection
Leprosy was one of the most horrific diseases a person could contract in biblical times, as there was no treatment and no cure in those days. The physical suffering was truly awful and what made things even worse was the way the leper was treated by society.
Lepers were considered “the living dead” and so were required to dress as if they were a person in mourning. They had to stay quarantined, away from others, and cry out a warning of “Unclean!” whenever people were near them.
Considering the abject misery a leper would have been living in, it’s no surprise to read that the man in Mark 1 was completely desperate when he approached Jesus. It’s interesting to note that he didn’t ask to be cured; he asked to be cleansed.
Leprosy was often used as a symbolic picture of sin and its consequences, which leaves us separated from fellowship with God. Here we see that not only did Jesus cleanse the man from his physical ailment, but He also brought him restoration within society, giving a clear picture of the cleansing and restoration we all need through Jesus.
The level of compassion Jesus shows the leper is truly moving. Many years would have passed since this poor soul had felt the physical contact of another human being, and it was no small thing that Jesus chose to cleanse him through physical touch.
Jesus healed many people in many different ways during His ministry, and He could have brought about the same result without actually making contact with the man, but touch is the method He chose.
The ceremonial law of that day dictated that someone with leprosy must not be touched, and if they were, then the person who touched them would now be considered unclean. What’s amazing is that Jesus wasn’t made unclean by the leper, but in fact, the opposite actually happened. Jesus wasn’t reduced to the man’s lowly status, but rather, the leper was elevated by Christ’s healing touch and made clean!
The beautiful truth we’re shown here is that no matter what condition we may be in when we come before Jesus, His heart of love is always ready and willing to respond with compassion to our cry for help.
So let’s ask ourselves,
Have I been spiritually cleansed by Jesus? Have I had a personal encounter with the Saviour and accepted that His sacrifice was given to pay for my sins?
Do I need healing for a physical issue today? Is there someone in my life who needs prayer for healing or restoration?
What about healing for our nation? Are there problems I can see that are a direct result of the people having turned their back on God? How can I be praying for the government and the hearts of the people to turn to Jesus in these times?
Whether it’s in a spiritual or physical sense, if we need cleansing or healing today, may we approach Christ’s Throne of grace with humility and ask our compassionate God to lay His cleansing touch upon our lives. May we say just like Jeremiah,
“Heal me, Lord, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise.”