Humility and desperation taken together are wonderfully effective inducements to ask for help. How much better it would be if I would humbly admit my problem and ask for some help sooner so as to avoid most of the desperation later!
Please share your thoughts, your own application or questions in the comments at the end.
Command 48 “…be cleansed”
Mt 8:3; See also Mk 1:41 and Lk 5:13
RECIPIENT:
A man with leprosy
CONTEXT: My notes about the context of this command
Immediately after Jesus finished His sermon on the mountain
Mt 7:28-29; 8:1-3a And He went into their synagogues throughout all Galilee, preaching and casting out the demons. When Jesus had finished these words, the crowds were amazed at His teaching; 29for He was teaching them as one having authority, and not as their scribes.
1When Jesus came down from the mountain, large crowds followed Him. 2And a leper came to Him and bowed down before Him, and said, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.” 3Jesus stretched out His hand and touched him, saying, “I am willing…”
Mk 1:39-41 And He went into their synagogues throughout all Galilee, preaching and casting out the demons.
40And a leper *came to Jesus, beseeching Him and falling on his knees before Him, and saying, “If You are willing, You can make me clean.” 41Moved with compassion, Jesus stretched out His hand and touched him, and *said to him, “I am willing…”
Lk 5:12-13 While He was in one of the cities, behold, there was a man covered with leprosy; and when he saw Jesus, he fell on his face and implored Him, saying, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.” 13And He stretched out His hand and touched him, saying, “I am willing…”
COMMAND FULL TEXT:
Mt 8:3b “I am willing; be cleansed.”
RESULT:
Mt 8:3b-4 And immediately his leprosy was cleansed. 4And Jesus *said to him, “See that you tell no one; but go, show yourself to the priest and present the offering that Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.”
Mk 1:42-45 Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cleansed. 43And He sternly warned him and immediately sent him away, 44and He *said to him, “See that you say nothing to anyone; but go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.” 45But he went out and began to proclaim it freely and to spread the news around, to such an extent that Jesus could no longer publicly enter a city, but stayed out in unpopulated areas; and they were coming to Him from everywhere.
Lk 5:13b-16 And immediately the leprosy left him. 14And He ordered him to tell no one, “But go and show yourself to the priest and make an offering for your cleansing, just as Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.” 15But the news about Him was spreading even farther, and large crowds were gathering to hear Him and to be healed of their sicknesses. 16But Jesus Himself would often slip away to the wilderness and pray.
DEFINITIONS: Key Greek Words – Removes ambiguity of the Bible text
word: Strong’s # Greek pronunciation — definition
cleansed: G2511 καθαρίζω kath-ar-id’-zō — to cleanse (literally or figuratively)
COMMENT: My comments and notes
The Book of Luke records that Jesus healed other people with leprosy in a different context.
Lk 17:12-14 As He entered a village, ten leprous men who stood at a distance met Him; 13and they raised their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” 14When He saw them, He said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they were going, they were cleansed.
People with Leprosy in Biblical times not only had a physical condition but the social implications were devastating because the infected person was forced to live outside the city. They could not come in contact with other people. They were outcasts whose only hope was for healing. The individuals who came to Jesus were already humbled by society. In coming to Jesus they came not only in desperation but with faith that He could heal them. They acted upon their faith and Jesus did heal them.
Humility and desperation taken together are a wonderfully effective inducement to come to Jesus for help. This man’s condition was not his fault in any way but as a leper in ancient Israel he most likely suffered a long, long time. Fortunately he heard about Jesus who could do miracles and went to see Him.
My problems are sometimes self inflicted and other times just happen. But WHY do I listen to my ego for so long? It consistently tells me that everything is alright even when it is not. It tells me, “Don’t admit to anyone that you need anything.” I suppose it’s good to solve my own trivial problems myself. But for those more important problems, it would be better if I would simply seek help from someone sooner so as to avoid most of the desperation!
MY PERSONAL APPLICATION: I encourage you to make your own application
No longer will I wait until I’m desperate for solutions to life’s problems; I’l l be quick to admit to myself that I have a problem and get some help. Do not be shy about seeking assistance from trusted and wise friends, family, professionals or even books!
Please share a comment, question or perhaps another application for this command of Jesus.
© 2018 Christopher Carlson