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LUKE - Christ, the Savior of the World
A Bible Study Course on the Gospel of Christ according to Luke

PART 3 - JESUS' MINISTRY IN GALILEE (Luke 4:14 - 9:50)

4. Jesus Cleanses a Leper and Withdraws into the Desert (Luke 5:12-16)


LUKE 5:12-16
12 It happened, while he was in one of the cities, behold, there was a man full of leprosy. When he saw Jesus, he fell on his face, and begged him, saying, “Lord, if you want to, you can make me clean.” 13 He stretched out his hand, and touched him, saying, “I want to. Be made clean.” Immediately the leprosy left him. 14 He commanded him to tell no one, “But go your way, and show yourself to the priest, and offer for your cleansing according to what Moses commanded, for a testimony to them.” 15 But the report concerning him spread much more, and great multitudes came together to hear, and to be healed by him of their infirmities. 16 But he withdrew himself into the desert, and prayed.

In the Old Testament, leprosy was considered a divine punishment for hidden sins in man. The leprous man, in order not to spread contagion was, very properly separated from the community. The poor lepers lived as “walking tombs”, and their relatives ashamedly and cautiously, looked after them. A leper was to cry, “Unclean! Unclean!” to warn all not to defile themselves by approaching him.

One of the lepers who had heard about Christ’s wonderful power, came cautiously near Jesus, and immediately the multitudes moved away angrily from him, getting ready to drive him away. But he fell down before Jesus, knowing that no man could help him, for he was in an advanced stage of leprosy.

The leper openly confessed his faith in Jesus, as the Almighty who has complete power over everything, even leprosy. Do you believe in the power of Christ in your life? The leper was uncertain that the Holy One of God would help him because of his sins that were apparent through his leprosy. He asked Jesus with humility if he was willing to heal him, putting all his hope and longing in this plea. Christ gave him a divine answer: he embraced him –according to the original Greek text-without being afraid of infection and slow death, for he was the Prince of Life, who embraced all corrupt mankind through his incarnation. The poor leper realized that Christ accepted him into the love of God. Do you come to Jesus with your hardships, and confess openly? He does not reject you because of your sins, but embraces you and surrounds you with all his love.

Then the Son of God testified to the mystery of his saving will, saying, “ I will save you. I will heal you. I will make you clean.” If you ask yourself, “Will God help and save me?” Christ will answer you, “I will.” Do you believe in his answer? We are all living in the age of grace. Enter into the joy of God and wish what he wishes for you, so that you may receive the fullness of his power. The Lord does not mean first to improve your financial position, or your professional interests. His aim is to clense, your wicked heart. When you completely submit to the hands of Jesus, he will also help you with the problems in your life – every aspect - health, school, career and professional developments, for the main stream of the will of God is love, blessing, strengthening, and reviving.

Jesus willingly commanded the leper to recover, and urged him to be a testimony to his healing. By his word he gave him the power to get well. The Creator’s command broke the authority of the disease, and loosed the chains of sin in the innermost depth of the patient. The love of Christ overcame all the troubles in this poor man’s life when he committed himself to the hands of Jesus. Now a divine current flowed into his members and skin. They grew whole once again, and the leprosy fell as scabs from his skin. Not gradually, but immediately, the outcast who was rejected from society became healthy and sound.

Jesus sent the cleansed man to the priests, and according to the law, to bring an offering to the temple (Leviticus 13:49; 14:10), also in order that these mediators between God and the people of the covenant should officially confirm that Christ is the divine Physician who released people from incurable diseases.

The multitude felt the presence of the divine messenger who delivered them from the chains and consequences of sin, so they gathered, and heard the gospel. They drank of the fullness of Christ’s teaching, and felt that the kingdom of God had begun. Sin and its consequences were removed by Christ and his power.

Observe that the more miracles Jesus did, the more he prayed, making himself of no reputation, and giving all glory to his Father. Often he withdrew to lonely places, he prayed constantly, for his faith was but a prayer. He did nothing apart from God. Every movement of his hand and every word he said were in harmony with the Spirit of his Father. Do you pray and speak to your heavenly Father about all the concerns of your life? You can do nothing without him. As he abides in you and you in him, you will bear much fruit.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, we glorify you because you healed the leper and cleansed him from his sins. Please cleanse me from my sins, and sanctify me completely. I believe in your will and in your willingness to heal me. I submit myself to you, and thank you for your love and salvation offered to all.

QUESTION 44: What is the will of God?

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