LEARNING DAILY

Mark 1:40, Now a leper came to Him, imploring Him, kneeling down to Him and saying to Him, “If You are willing, You can make me clean.”

I listened to another message from NorthRock Church this past weekend. It was a great message about a leper who came to Jesus, in faith that He could heal him of this terrible disease. Jonathon Moore, the lead pastor, told in great detail how this disease causes sores and visible scars on the skin and caused those who had this disease to be isolated from those who did not have it. Pastor Moore said this man’s name was never mentioned; it was his condition that was evident. He went on to say that today people might not have sores on their skin that are visible but have sores on their soul that causes them to be isolated. He said as leprosy causes the nerve in the skin to be numb, the sore on the hearts of people causes a numbness that they cannot seem to get away from.

The leper is an interesting study. Someone had told Him about Jesus and what He was able to do. Stop and think upon that. What if no one had done that? Who do you need to tell about Jesus and what He can do for that person?  The leper’s response was to believe that “If you are willing, You can make me clean.” “He knew that he could do nothing about his condition; he went to Jesus!” (Pastor Moore). Where did the leper’s faith come from? It came as the result of being told, because he listened and received what was said. This goes right along with the message at Community Bible Church about doing whatever He says. Open your Bible and read the Good News, the Best News Ever, and do what it says. Pastor Moore said there may be “stuff” we need to remove from our lives to hear or receive from God’s Word. That is okay! Admit the bad stuff, receive forgiveness, and be obedient.

The leper took the step necessary to approach Jesus. He knelt before the only One who could meet His need. In verse 41, notice the response of Jesus. “I am willing; be cleansed.” I wonder if you can sense the feeling and understanding of what this leper had endured in his life. Jesus did! Don’t you know the anger Jesus must have had at the work of the devil in this man’s life! The man had been enslaved and afflicted with this terrible disease, enduring the hardships that went with it. Pastor Moore said that the leper knelt before Jesus, taking the right posture to receive a miracle. Just like the leper, Jesus knows our struggles, the pain we live with, and identifies with what we live with.

The last point made in this message was Jesus takes our place! The leper’s posture was one of submission to the will of God. He did not come into His presence with any demands – only if He was willing. He came to Jesus in faith, recognizing His authority and power, asking to be made clean. Pastor Moore reminded us that when the leper came to Jesus, he was an outcast who could not go anywhere near other people nor into the village. Read the end of this portion of Scripture and you will see the man told everyone about what Jesus had done which resulted in people from every direction going to Jesus. Notice that “Jesus could no longer openly enter the village”. Jesus had become the who could no longer go into the village – He had taken the place of the leper in this regard.

In the same sense Jesus took the place of each person who places their faith in Him. He took the place on a cross that each person deserves because of the sin. Do you fully understand what that means. It should cause every believer to the posture of the leper, one of submission and desire to be obedient in every aspect of their life.

I believe that is a great reminder for every Believer whether new or walking with Jesus for many years.