1. Close encounters with the real Jesus Jesus heals a leper

2. Overview Background The story –What happened? –How would it have been understood at the time? –The allegories –What lessons are there for today? So what?

3. Background The Bible is an ancient book –understand the culture –see the text as it would have been understood by the people it was written for The gospels –The synoptic gospels (Matthew, Mark & Luke –John’s gospel The Bibles use of allegory and analogy

4. The story Matthew 8:1-4, Mark 1:40-45 & Luke 5:12-16 A man with leprosy –Not the same as modern day leprosy –Luke 5:12 – “covered in leprosy” –Dreadful, disabling, incurable disease –Social isolation –Economic isolation and ruin –Religious isolation –Was sometimes a divine punishment –Analogous of sin

5. The story Came to Jesus –Jesus did not drive him away or protest –Jesus received him and engaged with him Begged Him on his knees –Respect, humility and desperation –Faith in Jesus power and ability –Doubt (uncertainty) about Jesus willingness to help

6. The story Jesus touched the man –Compassion and intimacy –Jesus power to heal Jesus sent him away with a strong warning Told him to comply with the law

7. The story The leper’s disobedience –Told everyone –Did he go to the priests? –Jesus still healed him! The effect of the disobedience –Affected Jesus ministry

8. So what? Jesus receives and helps the helpless and hopeless Jesus accepts those that society rejects We need to seek out real solutions to real problems Jesus is more willing to help than people are to ask Jesus has both compassion and the power to help Jesus deals with people with love and compassion Jesus dealt in objective facts and verifiable change Jesus helped the man even though he knew he would disobey Jesus helped the man even though it hindered his own purposes