Matthew Chapter 8
The Lord Heals the Leper
Whenever we learn about the rising number of covid-19 cases worldwide, or how long it might take for a vaccine to be developed, do our hearts tremble with fear? Have we lost faith in the healing power of God?
Matthew 8 records testimonies of the Lord Jesus healing the sick, like the leper (v1-4) and Peter’s mother-in-law (v14-15).
His power was not just limited to helping a handful of individuals either, for He healed all the sick who came to Him (v16). Amazingly, Jesus could also heal someone who was far away—the centurion’s servant who was at home, paralyzed and dreadfully tormented (v5-13).
Let’s zoom in on one of those who experienced Jesus’ compassionate healing: the leper.
The leper approached Jesus while great multitudes followed Him (v1). The leper would have been recognisable: the law required that lepers tear their clothes, have their heads bare, cover their moustache and announce themselves with the cry, “Unclean! Unclean!” (Lev 13:45-46).
How might people reacted when they saw amongst them the leper? The Bible does not record this, but whatever people’s reactions may have been, the leper was undeterred.
The leper had full faith in the power of the Lord Jesus. The leper did not doubt whether Jesus could heal him.
He did not say, “Lord, if You can make me clean, please make me clean.”
Rather, the leper believed in the Lord’s power: “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.” (v2)
And praise God! Our Lord was willing. In fact, He healed the leper immediately.
When we face with physical, emotional or mental sufferings that have plagued us for a long time, do we still believe in the Lord’s ability to heal us immediately?
While the leper knew the Lord Jesus’ power, he also surrendered to His will.
Even if we believe in His power, it is not easy to submit to His will when our desires don’t align with His. What if He is not willing to alleviate our sufferings?
When Job experienced painful boils all over his body, God had allowed it (Job 2:6-7).
When the Lord Jesus hung on the cross, He felt every second of its excruciating pain.
Yet Job did not curse God, instead willingly accepting adversity, trusting in the Lord’s sovereignty (Job 2:9-10).
Jesus, prior to His crucifixion, humbly surrendered to our God in full faith of God’s good plan: “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.” (Luke 22:42)
The leper did not know if Jesus was willing to heal him, yet he still boldly came to worship Jesus and to make his request known to Him—just as we can (Heb 4:16; Phil 4:6). Not knowing what the Lord intends for us in our affliction should not dishearten us from seeking Him.
We worship God not for His blessings but for who He is.
After the leper was cleansed, the Lord instructed him to fulfil the requirement of the Mosaic law to offer a gift (v4). This gift is the ritual that cleansed lepers under the law had to perform, as recorded in Leviticus 14:1-32. Part of this involved the leper making a grain offering, a sin offering, and a burnt offering to atone for his uncleanness.
While we no longer need to make similar offerings today, after we are healed, would we recall God’s grace and offer the sacrifice of praise to God (Heb 13:15)? Would we offer up our prayers (Rev 5:8; Psa 141:2)? Would we continue to repent of our sins?
Or would we be like the nine cleansed lepers whom Jesus healed in another miracle, who do not return to give glory to God (Luke 17:17-18)?
Questions for reflection:
- Do I fully believe that our God is powerful and that He can do all things?
- Am I willing to surrender to the Lord’s will, regardless of what it may be, or what others may say of me?
- How do I worship God and repay His grace daily?
