Miracles of Our Lord
Table of Contents
Miracles of Our Lord: No. 2 - There Came a Leper to Him
In our last paper we saw Jesus meeting the desperate condition of man as in the possession of Satan and demons. We also saw Him as perfect Man, rising a great while before day, in a solitary place, in prayer. As God, we saw Him come forth in divine power, casting out devils in the synagogues of highly favored Galilee. Another sad picture of man's condition is before us. " There came a leper to him." (Mark 1:40.) Whenever Jesus, by the Holy Spirit, delivers a soul from Satan, there is sure to be this discovery—the loathsomeness of sin. Not merely what we have done, as blinded and led by Satan, but what we are. What so loathsome as leprosy? It is incurable, getting worse and worse, until the destruction of the body, in one mass of sore disease, ensues. Just so the sinner—every sinner, every man by nature—his very nature poisoned by sin. It is incurable sin, to any but God. Just as none but God could heal the incurable leper, so none but God could devise a means to meet and cleanse the sinner of his sin. Go into the leprosy hospital, and see the patients, slowly getting worse, worse, to final destruction of the body. Go abroad in this world, and see every unsaved soul slowly going on to endless destruction.
There were two things this poor leper knew. He knew his wretched condition, and he knew who alone could heal him. This being the case, to whom could he come but unto Jesus? This is the exact case of a truly awakened sinner. He knows his own true, wretched condition. His whole being is poisoned with sin. He may have tried many pretended cures, but he has found them all false. Very often it takes years to learn that he is, as to all efforts of his own, and all the religion of men, an incurable. Thousands of remedies have been prescribed by learned philosophers and religious Jews, and by professing Christians, mixing both philosophy and religion; but all in vain. Man is just like that leper. “And there came a leper to him, beseeching him, and kneeling down to him, and saying unto him, If thou wilt, thou canst make me clean."
Now, did he not come just as he was, in his leprosy? Did Jesus say, You must give up your leprosy first, and then come to me to be cured? Just as he was he came—an incurable, except to God. And God was there, God manifest in the flesh. Yes, just as he was he came straight to Jesus. Have you, as a wretched, incurable sinner, come straight to Jesus? He did not come to the blessed mother of Jesus, or to angels, or to any of His disciples—did he? Then why should you? That poor outcast came to Jesus, kneeling down to Him, and saying to Him, "If thou wilt, thou canst make me clean." Precious faith! Have you ever thus come to Jesus? Read each sentence, and we ask you solemnly. Have you ever thus come to Jesus? If you have not, then you have never really known your true, incurable condition in the leprosy of sin. Oh, what mistakes are made on this subject. Men of great learning, and highly distinguished in this world, will, and do, direct thousands to seek the cure of their depraved nature by baptism, confirmation, and the Lord's supper; and will tell them, that if they do not feel good enough to take the Lord's supper, it is still safer to come to holy communion! Could there be greater ignorance of the gospel? Does not baptism show the utter incurableness of the flesh, the old man—that it is only fit to be buried with Christ in death? Has it not been utterly judged, and set aside, in the cross of Christ? How, then, can that be confirmed which is to be reckoned dead and buried? And is the Lord's supper for poor deceived souls who think themselves good enough s or for those who were so bad, that nothing short of the atoning death of Jesus could redeem them? Nay, for those, and those alone, who can give thanks because they have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins? To make the Lord's supper a make-up for those who are nearly good enough, is to lead souls to endless perdition.
Miracles of Our Lord: No. 3 - The Leper, Continued
But to return to the leper. Was it a question if he were well enough, or good enough? Was it not the opposite? We are told in Luke 5:12 that he was " full of leprosy," and that he fell on his face at the feet of Jesus. Why, it is the very badness of his case that makes him a fit object for Jesus. Is it your badness, or your goodness, that makes you a fit object for the mercy of God? If you have never been thus brought to Jesus, what is your case? Full, your very nature full, of the leprosy of sin—incurable depravity. This is our very condition from birth. How our sins have proved this to be the case, getting worse and worse, nearer every day to endless woe! “And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth his hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, I will; be thou clean." (Mark 1:41.) Here is One that can heal him, and have compassion on him, just as he is. Ah, He had compassion on us; He put forth His hands to be nailed to the cross; He gave Himself that He might heal us, and save us. What compassion on us, what righteousness before God. He bore our sins in His own body on the tree.
Now mark what took place. " And as soon as he had spoken, immediately the leprosy departed from him, and he was cleansed." This is the grand secret: the moment the words of Jesus are heard and believed, the work is done; the change has taken place; sins are gone forever, never to be judged, or remembered again. We enter a new existence; we have a new position; yea, we have eternal life. Carefully compare this miracle of Jesus with His words in John 5:24: "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation [or, judgment]; but is passed from death unto life." Is it not exactly as it was with the poor leper? Is it not so in every case where the anxious soul, really awakened, and knowing the utter loathsomeness of sin, comes to Jesus? Yes, direct and first to Jesus, though full of sin—just as he is—and falls at the feet of Jesus. You own your true condition; He is ever moved with compassion; He speaks—you hear His word; you believe God that sent Him to save you by the death of the cross; and, on the truth of His own word, the work is done, the change is wrought. You have eternal life: no more judgment for sins; you are passed from death unto life. The leper was cleansed—the believer is cleansed; and, to his astonishment, it is revealed to him in the word that the work was done, long, long ago, that cleanseth him from his sins. He no longer walks in the darkness of seeking salvation by baptism, confirmation, and the Lord's supper; but it we now walk in the light, u as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin." (1 John 1:7.)
Yes, the work is done, and it is complete. As it regards the charge of guilt before God, nothing more is needed, nothing more can ever be needed; all sin, to that believer who is in the light, and receives the testimony of God, is gone, to be remembered no more; yes, all sin. It must be so, blessed Lord; Thine infinite and perfect sacrifice cannot have an imperfect effect.
Now mark the word—immediately the leprosy departed from him, &c. Jesus then gave a remarkable test for his faith, and also to ours. He charged him to go to the priest, and offer the things for his cleansing which Moses had commanded. Jesus did the same to the ten lepers of Luke 17 He said, " Go, show yourselves unto the priests.” There was only one that understood the fact, that, since he was really cleansed, he need not go to the ceremonies of the law for cleansing. “When he saw that he was healed, [he] turned back, and, with a loud voice, glorified God, and fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan/' How could he go to be cleansed, since God had cleansed him? What did Jesus say to this? He said, " There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger. And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way, thy faith hath made thee whole." So it is said of our leper in Mark, " But he went out, and began to publish it much."
How simple the test, both to the leper, and to the sinner. Have you still need of ceremonies and sacraments to heal you, or can you return to the feet of Jesus, giving glory to God? Can you go out and publish it much, that the blood of Jesus has cleansed you from all sin? The cleansing of the leper in Lev. 14 is most instructive as types and figures. But that leper whom. Jesus had perfectly healed, plainly need not go to those shadows for healing. Now, if you have been brought to Jesus just as you are; if you have known His infinite compassion in dying for your sins, and rising again for your justification, if you know, on the very testimony of Jesus, that you have passed from death unto life, you cannot certainly go to anything else for life. To do so, is to deny that you have got it. We will, in the next place, look at the third picture of man's condition, as seen in the man sick of the palsy.
Miracles of Our Lord: No. 4 - Mark 2:3-12
" And they come unto him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four" Here is a picture of man in his utter helplessness. So helpless he had to be borne of four. We have seen man under the power of an unclean demon. We have seen him also in the picture of the leper, wholly depraved: his very nature sin. And with all man's pretense and religiousness and morality, there is no truth or honesty until we own that we are utterly loathsome and depraved. The word of God says it is so, and our consciences and experience bear witness to the truth in all its terrible malignity. But what is even still more distressing to a soul, if possible, is this: that when a soul is awakened by the Spirit of God to its real condition, and longs to do right, it yet finds it has no power. The man sick of the palsy was just a picture of this. He was in a bad helpless case, and he longed to be healed. His friends took pity on him, and (well for him) they brought him to the only One who could give him strength. Oh, that many a helpless soul may get a lift to Jesus in reading this paper, as he did by his friends.
It is most uncommon to bring a helpless soul straight to Jesus. He is generally told to do the best he can. Or he is taken anywhere rather than to Jesus.
It may be fairly asked: But do the scriptures teach that man is helpless as to the things of God? Indeed, they do most distinctly: " For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly." (Rom. 5:6.) Yea, as to all that is good, we were "dead in trespasses and sins." (Eph. 2:1, 5; Col. 2:13.) “And you being dead in your sins." The condition also of man under law is fully described in Rom. 7:5-23. And though quickened, he has to say: " how to perform that which is good I find not.” Such is the condition of man; and the law cannot help him. " For I know that in me, (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing." Oh Lord, Thou knowest that by nature this is the troth, men are slaves of Satan, full of sin, and have no power; and Thou, Lord Jesus, alone couldst meet our threefold lost condition.
Whether we are sick of palsy or sick of sin, we cannot make a single movement to save ourselves. Is your case as bad as this? Do not say, My case would be too bad for Jesus. There are no cases too bad for Him. They brought this desperate, helpless case to Jesus. There were difficulties in the way: what a crowd to get through then, and what a crowd to get through now. Faith overcomes all difficulties. See how they resolutely push through the crowd. If you would bring a helpless sin-sick soul to Jesus, you must pass through the crowd of popes, councils, bishops, priests, &a, and bring him to Jesus: do not stop short or he is lost. " And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had broken it tip, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay." That was earnest, overcoming faith. It was that faith which is the gift of God, and Jesus knew it. Just see, they not only let the man down, but they let down the very bed on which he rested. Down he went, and down it went, down to the feet of Jesus.
Oh it is a great thing to be let down, and the very thing on which we have been resting also let down to the feet of Jesus. What is your bed, reader? Is there anything on which you rest? Though you have to be carried to the very top of the house where Jesus is—and what a house Christendom has become—the roof must be uncovered, and down you must go. It is not up you must rise; no, down you must go to the very feet of Jesus. How many make a bed of baptism, how many more of what they call holy communion, others of religiousness and formality. Whatever it is you rest in or on, whatever is your bed, it must go down; both you and it must lie at the feet of Jesus.
But hark, there was something this poor helpless man needed even before power to walk, and Jesus knew it. You, too, may be earnestly desiring power to walk in the commands, and according to the will of God; but there is something Jesus knows you want first. What is that? Let us hear what He says to the helpless one, sick with the palsy: " Son [or child], thy sins be forgiven thee." Another word is added in Matthew: " Child, be of good cheer [or courage]; thy sins be forgiven thee." (Matt. 9:2.) This was the first thing he needed, is it not the first thing we need? He did not say, Rise and walk, and then I will forgive thy sins. He does not say to us, Arise up first and walk in my commandments, then I will forgive thy sins. Yet have you not thought it was so; yea, that that was the gospel? He needed strength to walk; but the deepest need of man's soul when brought to Jesus is first the forgiveness of his sins.
It is a blessed thing then when a helpless sinner, without strength, is brought and let down with all that ever he rested on at the feet of Jesus. None around him but Jesus may hear or know the deep groan of his heart burdened with sins. Jesus knows it. He speaks straight to the point at once—what cheering words: " Child, have courage, thy sins be forgiven thee." Oh what peace, what blessedness! How sad to think that this blessedness has been lost for long centuries to thousands. It is the privilege, and mark, of the youngest child of God. " I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake." (1 John 2:12.) Thus if your sins are not forgiven, you are not one of the children of God.
This must be so, as forgiveness of sins is preached through the death and resurrection of Christ. This is the very glad tidings of God. For this Jesus died and rose again, that our sins might be forgiven—surely much more than this. All believers knew their sins were forgiven, for God had proclaimed this forgiveness to them, just as Jesus said: " Child, be of good courage, thy sins are forgiven thee." So the Holy Ghost by the apostles, ever proclaimed the same. This was the very commission of Christ. " That repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem." (Luke 24:47.) Yes, first His death and resurrection; then repentance and remission of sins. And this they ever did. Peter thus preached at Pentecost, and again to the Gentiles: " To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins." Thus did Paul preach at Antioch: " Be it known unto you therefore.... that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: and by him all that believe are justified from all things," &c. (Acts 13:38.) This was the known blessing of all believers. a Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus." (Rom. 3:24.) Yes, they could all say: "In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace.” (Eph. 1:7.) They believed God who raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; " Who was delivered for our offenses, and was raised again for our justification and they had peace with God.
So that the words of Jesus to the poor man sick of the palsy were the exact expression of this grace, the unmerited, free favor of forgiveness of sins. He who died for our sins has the undoubted title to say: “Be of good cheer, thy sins are forgiven thee." Do you believe the words of Jesus to your soul? No doubt this did, and still does, give great offense to scribes and Pharisees. Nothing has been more distinctly rejected than this free forgiveness of sins. The moment we reason in our hearts, we say, Are we worthy of such a favor? If we were worthy it would be no free,, gracious favor at all: would it now?
Jesus speaks again: " Why reason ye these things in your hearts? Whether is it easier to say to the sick of the palsy, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and take up thy bed, and walk? But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (he saith to the sick of the palsy,) I say unto thee, Arise., and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house. And immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went forth before them all; insomuch that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, We never saw it on this fashion."
He who died for our sins freely forgives, and then gives strength and power for holiness of walk. Never before had it been seen on this fashion; man's way is always the opposite of God's way. If we could walk first in the commandments of God, and then have forgiveness after, should we not merit that forgiveness? Oh, how our poor proud hearts long that the merit might be our own. If we believe in self, we find that self is powerless to walk.
If let down to the feet of Jesus, and all in which we have ever sought to rest, all down, down to His feet; then we not only hear His precious words of infinite love forgiving our sins, but in the power of His resurrection, and by the Holy Spirit, we have immediate strength to walk. Yes, then we can take up in our arms the very bed on which we rested and carry it away.
Compare this miracle with the preaching of the gospel in the Acts, and its effects in the epistles, and we find invariably, it is forgiveness of sins first; and then, rise up and walk. Thus has God revealed His love to us: " For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly." " But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ; by grace ye are saved." (Rom. 5; Eph. 2)