The Word This Week
Luke 5:12…
Leprosy in the Bible has always been a type of sin. (An illustration of what sin does in any life.)
Leprosy is an incurable disease. Today it is referred to as ‘Hansen’s Disease,’ and is treatable. Once diagnosed, its progress can be arrested but the disease is still present.
In ancient times leprosy was incurable, and it resulted in the death of whoever contracted it. Like sin, it always began small and then completely took over the body with devastating effect.
The man we see here is completely covered with leprosy. The advance of the disease may have taken months or years – but from the moment it appeared he has been separated from the public, forced to live in a leper colony, and aware his condition is terminal.
Because of the horrific physical effects of leprosy, all lepers were required to steer well-clear of anyone except other lepers. They were to announce their presence to anyone approaching them, and to cross to the other side of the street. There was great fear of contracting the disease as it was highly contagious.
The Bible only records the cleansing of one man from leprosy - a Syrian general named Naaman, in 2 Kings 5. Moses’s sister Miriam was also struck with leprosy briefly for rebellion against Moses, but this was a punishment not in the same category as Naaman or the leper we see today.
The leper in this case is near death without a miracle. When a miracle-worker is present, you would do anything to come into His presence, despite any and all laws that may prevent it. But would the miracle-worker respond?
In the case of Jesus, this leper has correctly surmised it is simply a matter of Jesus’ will whether he can be cleansed or not. Whenever we see this degree of expression of faith in God’s Word, we always see that expression of faith being honored. Jesus honors the faith that honors Jesus. Jesus responded by doing something incredible.
He touched the leper.
Pastor Bill
Leprosy in the Bible has always been a type of sin. (An illustration of what sin does in any life.)
Leprosy is an incurable disease. Today it is referred to as ‘Hansen’s Disease,’ and is treatable. Once diagnosed, its progress can be arrested but the disease is still present.
In ancient times leprosy was incurable, and it resulted in the death of whoever contracted it. Like sin, it always began small and then completely took over the body with devastating effect.
The man we see here is completely covered with leprosy. The advance of the disease may have taken months or years – but from the moment it appeared he has been separated from the public, forced to live in a leper colony, and aware his condition is terminal.
Because of the horrific physical effects of leprosy, all lepers were required to steer well-clear of anyone except other lepers. They were to announce their presence to anyone approaching them, and to cross to the other side of the street. There was great fear of contracting the disease as it was highly contagious.
The Bible only records the cleansing of one man from leprosy - a Syrian general named Naaman, in 2 Kings 5. Moses’s sister Miriam was also struck with leprosy briefly for rebellion against Moses, but this was a punishment not in the same category as Naaman or the leper we see today.
The leper in this case is near death without a miracle. When a miracle-worker is present, you would do anything to come into His presence, despite any and all laws that may prevent it. But would the miracle-worker respond?
In the case of Jesus, this leper has correctly surmised it is simply a matter of Jesus’ will whether he can be cleansed or not. Whenever we see this degree of expression of faith in God’s Word, we always see that expression of faith being honored. Jesus honors the faith that honors Jesus. Jesus responded by doing something incredible.
He touched the leper.
Pastor Bill