Matthew 8:1-2 (NKJV)
When He had come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed Him. And behold, a leper came and worshiped Him, saying, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.”
The leper says a remarkable thing. Notice that the question is not if Jesus is able but if he is willing. This is the first time recorded in the New Testament that anyone calls Jesus Lord. The Greek word for Lord here is equivalent to the Hebrew Adonai.
This is the first miracle recorded by Jesus too, and interestingly it introduces leprosy. Think about audience of the Gospels: Matthew is written to a Jewish audience, Mark to the Romans, Luke to the Greeks, and John to the believer in Christ. The first miracle of Mark and Luke were both casting out a demon which would have held much interest to Greeks and Romans. The first miracle of John was turning water into wine and John is a mystic of sorts which might appeal to the believer in Christ. The healing of a leper would have special meaning to a Jew. Leprosy was used by Holy Spirit in Old Testament to be emblematic of sin.
Leprosy, known today as Hanson’s disease, is caused by mycobacterium leprae and affects the skin, peripheral nerves, and mucous membranes. It is a loathsome disease, and very visible in the later stages. The eventual disfigurement is a manifestation of the corruption going on within. There was no cure for leprosy in Old Testament. Leprosy is different from all other diseases in that there is a social stigma attached to it. This is true all over the world.
Sin too is an inner corruption that eventually manifests itself outwardly.
Warren Weirsbe in his book Be Holy, commented on the instructions given to priests in the book of Leviticus. He points out that Leviticus helps us to understand the nature of sin. We learn that:
- Sin and Leprosy are both more than skin deep (Lev 13:3). Leprosy cannot be cured by just treating the lesions on the surface. We know that the sin problem is in the depths of our heart. The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked [Jer 17:9] .
- Sin and Leprosy spread (Lev 13:8). Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death [James 1:15].
- Leprosy and sin both defile and isolate (Lev 13:45–46) Lepers were put outside the camp. But we are all like an unclean thing, And all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags [Is 64:6]. I am a man of unclean lips [Is 6]
- Leprosy and sin are both fit only for the fire ( Lev 13:52,57) They had to burn the garments soiled by Leprosy. Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels' [Matthew 25:41].
So in the first miracle of Matthew we have a leper who comes and worships Jesus Christ and calls Him Lord. “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.” In the mind of this leper, there is no basis for a cure except from God. Do you see what is going on?
Matt 8:3
Then Jesus put out His hand and touched him, saying, “I am willing; be cleansed.” Immediately his leprosy was cleansed.
Jesus demonstrates total authority. The most important thing to remember about this story is the identity of this Leper. This will make the story more important to you: that leper is you and I. We have a disease worse than leprosy. We have a disorder called SIN for which there is only a blood cure...the blood of Jesus and His willingness. And He is willing!
By the Way, what must you do to be healed of this malady? Do what this leper did: Worship Jesus, admit your uncleanness and inability to do for yourself, ask him humbly, trust him, and finally take his outstretched hand.
Visualize yourself in the leper’s place. You’ll be blessed.