Mark 1: A man with leprosy came to him and begged him on his knees, "If you are willing, you can make me clean."

41 Filled with compassion, Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. "I am willing," he said. "Be clean!" 42 Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cured. Mark 1:40-45

43 Jesus sent him away at once with a strong warning: 44 "See that you don't tell this to anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them." Mark 1:40-45

45 Instead he went out and began to talk freely, spreading the news. As a result, Jesus could no longer enter a town openly but stayed outside in lonely places. Yet the people still came to him from everywhere. Mark 1:40-45

How Shall We See Jesus? Challenges: 1. To be aware of our ‘filters of the familiar.’ 2. To free ourselves from ‘the familiar.’

Leprosy: the dread disease – first century. Three types of leprosy: a. Modular (tubercular) – begins with lethargy, joint pain. 1. Ulcerations of skin. 2. Ulcerations internal. 3. Life expectancy: nine to ten years. b. Anesthetic – begins very much like modular. 1. Effects nerve endings. 2. Ulcerations were common. 3. Life expectancy: twenty to thirty years. Three types of leprosy: a. Modular (tubercular) – begins with lethargy, joint pain. 1. Ulcerations of skin. 2. Ulcerations internal. 3. Life expectancy: nine to ten years. b. Anesthetic – begins very much like modular. 1. Effects nerve endings. 2. Ulcerations were common. 3. Life expectancy: twenty to thirty years.

c. Mixed – “common” leprosy. 1. Predominant in first century. 2. Life expectancy: those who died in ten years were considered fortunate. The stigmata of the Law for lepers: a. Torn clothing was to be worn. b. Hair was not to be combed or adorned. c. The face was to be covered from the nose. d. One’s condition and presence was to be shouted. e. Temple presence was forbidden. f. Walled cities were off limits. c. Mixed – “common” leprosy. 1. Predominant in first century. 2. Life expectancy: those who died in ten years were considered fortunate. The stigmata of the Law for lepers: a. Torn clothing was to be worn. b. Hair was not to be combed or adorned. c. The face was to be covered from the nose. d. One’s condition and presence was to be shouted. e. Temple presence was forbidden. f. Walled cities were off limits.

g. Rabbinic tradition: “No death without sin; no pain without transgression.” Social Stigmata for Lepers: a. Forcefully removed from society. b. Leper colony experiences. c. Mother Teresa: “We have drugs for people with diseases like leprosy. But these drugs do not treat the main problem of the disease of being unwanted.” Mark 1:34 “And He healed many who were ill with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and He was not permitting the demons to speak, because they knew who He was.” g. Rabbinic tradition: “No death without sin; no pain without transgression.” Social Stigmata for Lepers: a. Forcefully removed from society. b. Leper colony experiences. c. Mother Teresa: “We have drugs for people with diseases like leprosy. But these drugs do not treat the main problem of the disease of being unwanted.” Mark 1:34 “And He healed many who were ill with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and He was not permitting the demons to speak, because they knew who He was.”

I. THE LEPER AND THE LORD A. Jesus’ ministry probably consisted more of healing than teaching. 1. “Healing” = the most repeated of Jesus’ signs. 2. “Healing” = a dominant theme in all the gospels. B. Mark 1:40 “If You are willing, You can make me clean.” 1. “Willingness” = the concern of the leper. 2. The leper risked considerable liability to approach this rabbi. A. Jesus’ ministry probably consisted more of healing than teaching. 1. “Healing” = the most repeated of Jesus’ signs. 2. “Healing” = a dominant theme in all the gospels. B. Mark 1:40 “If You are willing, You can make me clean.” 1. “Willingness” = the concern of the leper. 2. The leper risked considerable liability to approach this rabbi.

a. Approaching Jesus was a felony. b. Ceremonial impurity was the felon’s condition; the rabbi’s liability. 3. First century rabbis had developed a ‘solution’ for lepers; they carried rocks to heave at the ‘sinners.’ 4. Little wonder the leper was concerned with ‘willingness!’ 5. QUESTION: When last did you throw a rock at a ‘leper?’ a. Approaching Jesus was a felony. b. Ceremonial impurity was the felon’s condition; the rabbi’s liability. 3. First century rabbis had developed a ‘solution’ for lepers; they carried rocks to heave at the ‘sinners.’ 4. Little wonder the leper was concerned with ‘willingness!’ 5. QUESTION: When last did you throw a rock at a ‘leper?’

C. Faith is essential to receiving the benefit of Jesus’ healing. 1. The leper had confidence Jesus could heal him. 2. Many persons were not healed by Jesus due their lack of faith. a. Mark 6:5 – 6 “He could do no miracle there except that He laid His hands upon a few sick people and healed them. And He wondered at their unbelief.” b. QUESTION: At what might Jesus be made to wonder about this spiritual family;about you? C. Faith is essential to receiving the benefit of Jesus’ healing. 1. The leper had confidence Jesus could heal him. 2. Many persons were not healed by Jesus due their lack of faith. a. Mark 6:5 – 6 “He could do no miracle there except that He laid His hands upon a few sick people and healed them. And He wondered at their unbelief.” b. QUESTION: At what might Jesus be made to wonder about this spiritual family;about you?

c. Acts 14:9 “and when he had fixed his gaze upon him, and had seen that he had faith to be made well…” d. The point: (1) If faith was required for healing (first century), will not faith be required for healing today? (2) Why would it be different today? Where is your faith? c. Acts 14:9 “and when he had fixed his gaze upon him, and had seen that he had faith to be made well…” d. The point: (1) If faith was required for healing (first century), will not faith be required for healing today? (2) Why would it be different today? Where is your faith?

II. THE LORD AND THE LEPER A. Mark 1:41 “ Moved with compassion,” 1. The term “compassion” (NASB) = literally: “to eat the inwards of a victim after sacrifice.” 2. Jesus may have been experiencing anger, hatred. 3. When last were you made to hate disease? 4. Mark 1:41(b) “… Jesus stretched out His hand and touched him, and said, ‘I am willing; be cleansed.’” II. THE LORD AND THE LEPER A. Mark 1:41 “ Moved with compassion,” 1. The term “compassion” (NASB) = literally: “to eat the inwards of a victim after sacrifice.” 2. Jesus may have been experiencing anger, hatred. 3. When last were you made to hate disease? 4. Mark 1:41(b) “… Jesus stretched out His hand and touched him, and said, ‘I am willing; be cleansed.’”

Do not miss the testimony!

B. Mark 1: At issue for the Lord: “To touch, or not to touch.” 2. The dilemma: Doing what had not previously been done would have a dramatic impact upon his ministry. C. Mark 1:44(d) “ for a testimony to them …” 1. QUESTION: “Them” who? 2. ANSWER: The priests. 1. At issue for the Lord: “To touch, or not to touch.” 2. The dilemma: Doing what had not previously been done would have a dramatic impact upon his ministry. C. Mark 1:44(d) “ for a testimony to them …” 1. QUESTION: “Them” who? 2. ANSWER: The priests.

CONCLUSION: 1. Jesus teaches lepers : nothing is beyond his touch! 2. Jesus teaches priests : nothing is impossible with God! 3. When Jesus is the healer, anything is possible! 4. Have you enough faith to receive his touch?