You have heard that Jesus grew up among the poor people in a place called Galilee. When He was a man, He did not stand proudly and make crowds listen to Him.
At the beginning of the day, Jesus got up early and went to a quiet spot in the desert where He prayed. That was the day a leper came to Him. A leper was a person who had a deadly disease called leprosy. Because other people could catch the disease from a leper, he was called “unclean” and no one must touch him. This poor leper was miserable, hopeless and lonely. But he could still listen to the town news, and he heard of Jesus who could heal a leper of that terrible disease!
Good news? Yes, if it’s true.
But we have better news than that for you right now. Not just some smart doctor who has a cure for cancer or AIDS or some other terrible disease. There is the Savior of sinners who can take away all your sins forever and has a home in heaven for you! He loves you and gave His life for you. Will you do what that leper did and just come?
The leper was sure of Jesus’ power to heal, but he was not very sure if Jesus would heal a poor leper. Maybe Jesus was too busy or maybe He healed only rich and important people.
Are you wondering, Is He willing to heal me?
No, He won’t if you are not a sinner. But if you are a sinner -little or big, rich or poor - come and see! His promises have all the power of God behind them: “Him that cometh to Me I will in no [way] cast out” (John 6:3737All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. (John 6:37)).
The leper fell on his knees in front of Jesus. He still was not sure that Jesus was willing, but Jesus was moved with pity. It was more than power reaching a long way down from heaven to heal a poor human; it was the loving heart of Je-sus, who knows what we suffer and who is tenderhearted in suffering with us. Jesus touched him and said, “I will; be thou clean.” And immediately every trace of leprosy was gone!
Jesus told the healed leper to say nothing to anyone about it. The first thing he was to do was show himself to the priest and make an offering for his healing as Moses had commanded. If he did this, the priest might have to search the Scriptures to find out what offering this should be, since he may never have had a healed leper come to him before. The priest might wonder who this wonderful Man was who could do such a great thing. If he searched the Scriptures deeper, he would discover that Jesus was truly the sent One whom God had promised long ago.
But the healed leper didn’t follow Jesus’ instructions. He was so excited that he told everybody and shouted out everywhere, Jesus healed me! This was true and wonderful, but it was not God’s choice for him. His healing was plain enough to see, but as far as we know he never went to the priest about it as Jesus had instructed.
If you are truly cleansed from your sins, there will be a change in you too, and it begins on the inside. You have a new purpose now, and it changes your whole life. Do you belong to Jesus? Let Him show you what to do. That healed man hindered Jesus’ work by telling everybody about it, so that Jesus could no longer openly enter the city.
Let Jesus choose for you. His way is perfect. “As for God, His way is perfect: the word of the Lord is tried: He is a buckler to all those that trust in Him” (Psalm 18:3030As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the Lord is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him. (Psalm 18:30)).
Think About God’s Word!
1. What was the leper not sure Jesus would do even though He could do it?
2. Have you ever wanted to do something kind that you just couldn’t? How does Matthew 28:1818And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. (Matthew 28:18) show that Je-sus is able to do all that’s His will to do?
Project: How many wonderful things does John 3 record that Jesus has done?