What to Remember When You’re in Need of Healing
“While he was in one of the cities, there came a man full of leprosy. And when he saw Jesus, he fell on his face and begged him, “Lord, if you will, you can make me clean.” And Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, “I will; be clean.” And immediately the leprosy left him. And he charged him to tell no one, but “go and show yourself to the priest, and make an offering for your cleansing, as Moses commanded, for a proof to them.” But now even more the report about him went abroad, and great crowds gathered to hear him and to be healed of their infirmities. But he would withdraw to desolate places and pray.”
In the Bible, Luke writes about a man with leprosy in Luke 5:12-16. There are three things we can learn from this sick man’s encounter with God. Before we jump in, here’s the backstory.
Leprosy is a contagious skin disease and can attack the nervous system. It causes so much pain and disfiguration to those that have it. It spreads through contact, and from droplets from the upper respiratory system. The exact form of skin disease of this man is unknown, but what we do know is that it is causing him to be unclean.
In the first century, there was laws set-up to help stop the spread of this horrible disease. Those with leprosy would be isolated (some for years). Family would steer clear of this person, often dropping off food by the door. Often banished from neighbors and family, those sick with leprosy could not be around people.
Ekk… sounds familiar, huh? This story feels very COVID-ish.
So this man, who has been isolated for potentially years, has not been touched, hugged, even a handshake, and emerges into town desperate to be well. Desperate to be healed and to be clean.
The man says, “Lord if you will, you can make me clean.”
How does Jesus respond to this man who's been isolated and ostracized as a horrible and contagious disease eats at his body?
Jesus stretched out His hand and touched Him.
No one else would.
Yet with one touch, Jesus makes this man clean.
Typically it would be the other way around. The unclean disease would harm those around it.
But not with Jesus.
God is so pure, powerful, and filled with compassion and love that with just a touch this man became clean.
When the leprosy left, Jesus told him to tell the priest.
Why?
Typically in the towns, the local priests were the teachers of the law and made sure the rules were being followed.
We see in Scripture in Leviticus 13 if someone who had leprosy wanted to rejoin society and have a clean bill of health, they would need to be examined by the priest first. The priest would then announce them clean or unclean. This is why Jesus tells the man to go see the priest.
He wanted him to follow the cultural norms so he could rejoin society again... whole and healed.
***
Here are the things we can apply to our own situations as followers of Christ who may endure any sickness or pain.
1. Keep your eyes on Jesus
2. Know Jesus holds the power to make you clean
3. Keep a hope-filled perspective that God sees you
God is sovereign and has the authority to bring healing (either on this side of eternity or the next). Talk to God about His will in regards to your healing. Trust Him to bring power, purpose, and position your perspective towards Him. As you encounter Jesus, you catch glimpses of heaven, healing, and hope. It just takes one touch.
With one touch, Jesus makes us clean.
With one touch, we are free.
Start by taking 30 seconds thanking God for being a God who truly cares for the marginalized, ostracized, and the forgotten.
Thank God for how He personally has brought YOU a touch from heaven.
Prayerfully consider this,
“Lord, is there anything I need you to cleanse in my life? If it's Your will, I know you have the power to bring healing in this moment.”
Maybe Jesus wants to heal you from toxic thoughts, harmful habits, sin, addictions, or physical sickness.
God is at work all around us (and in us), don't miss it!
written by Jenny Randle
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