Healing of a Leper by FAith

N. T. #85 "Healing of a Leper by Faith"

June 6, 2023

Matthew 8

And, behold, there cvame a leper and worshipped Him, saying, Lord, if Thou wilt, Thou canst make me clean. (verse 2)

LET IT GLOW

You know, there is no other person who's words can be compared with our out reach the heart than Jesus's words, right? His words are not suggestions of a successful life, by they can be heart wrenching and life changing. Shakespear's writings, Ben Franklins' writings, nor Mark Twains' writings can measure up to the teachings of Jesus recorded in the four Gospels.

Every so often we need some spiritual evaluation of ourself. Are you up for it?

• Is our light shining?
• Is our cheek sore from turning it for bashing?
• Where's our treasure and heart-focus?
• Are we serving God rather than money?
• Is our faith growing into a huge plant or is it reamining a seed?
• Are we still judging others or ourself?
• Have we stopped casting our pearls before swine?
• Are we faithful in pray, asking, seeking, and knocking?
• Are there still logs in our own eyes, preventing us from helping remove dust from others' eyes?
• Logs, dogs, hogs can cause us problems. [Resource: Swindoll's Living Insights of Matthew]

I don't know about you, dear one, but I need it every once in a while. I get into ruts, self-rightousness, prideful. You can stop me anytime. I need to reach out to others, practicing the Golden Rule-treat others like I want to be treated. Loving my neighbors as myself should be my practice. How can I help? Don't we need spiritual eyes and ears to see and hear the needs of others? Are we being Jesus hands and feet?

No appologies. I need the Lord's Spirit today. There is so much hurt and uncertainty in this world.

Let me tell you about my Jesus. Jesus makes a way when there seems no way. Rises up from an empty grave. Ain't no sinner that He can't save. Let my Jesus save your heart.  His love is strong and His grace is true. The good news is He can do it for you. Precious Jesus!

LET IT GROW

In this chapter, we are going to read about the good things Jesus di for the people in the crowds He attracted. It is like little snapshots of events as needy people experience who Jesus is and what He could do. You will recall that the people were astonished with the teachings of Jesus. He didn't ramble on like others had. He touched on everyday life for us.

Jesus finished His Sermon on the Mount and went down to demonstrate His Words previously spoken on the hillside. come with me as we take a closer look The first to approach Jesus was a leper. This was an incurable disease with smelly sores of infection oozing out. And it was contagious. Can't you see the crowd parting for the leper to approach Jesus? (Were the disciples antsy to have him near? They didn't tell him to leave, like they did the little children.)

Notice what happened:

• What was the first thing the leper did, even before asking for help? He worshiped Jesus. He called Jesus Lord. (I dought the man had been in the crowd on the hillside listening to Jesus' sermon.)
• He showed faith as the leper acknowledged the power of Jesus-If You are willing, You can heal me and make me clean.
• Jesus reached out and touched the leperous man, which would have been a risk had He been an ordinary man. Did the onlooking crowd gasp?
• Jesus was willing to heal this man who came to Him by faith believing all things are possible with God, I think.
• Be healed! 
• And the man disappeared. Jesus told him not to tell anyone what had happened.
• Go to the priest and let him examine you. Take along the offering required in the law of Moses for those who have been healed of leprosy. This will be a public testimony that you have been cleansed.That was the healed man's instructions.
• However, the report of Jesus' powe spread even faster and vast crowds came to hear Him preach and to be healed of their diseases. 
• But Jesus often withdrew to the wilderness for prayer. (Luke 5:16)

Jesus is omnipotent, all-powerful. If it be His will, God is able to heal any problem, sickness or disease, stop any addiction, and relieve any phusicla, mental, or emothinal affliction. If He does not heal, then it is not His will, for He receives more glory. What an awesome God we serve!

The leper believed Jesus had the power to heal him, but he wan't sure it was Jesus' will for it.  

LET IT GO

All that we do should stem from a heart of love for God and others. (1 Cor. 13)

Thank You Jesus that You divine power never changes.

What love You show us daily. May we return it by loving others.