Matthew 8:1-4 The Man With Leprosy
Monday, June 18th, 20071When he came down from the mountainside, large crowds followed him. 2A man with leprosy came and knelt before him and said, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.” 3Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” Immediately he was cured of his leprosy. 4Then Jesus said to him, “See that you don’t tell anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the gift Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.” (Matthew 8:1-4)
Having leprosy in the times of Jesus was a big deal. You were outcast and forced to live outside of society. You couldn’t be around others, let alone be touched by them. But, Jesus was not only willing to heal this man, He touched him. This had to be a huge shock to those that were watching. After he heals the man, he tells him to go to the priests and make the offering from Leviticus 14:1-32. He doesn’t stop there though, I think it is significant that Jesus says “… as a testimony to them.” He is showing the priests that He has performed a miracle by healing someone, and made him accountable to the laws of Moses.