Mark 1:40-45 (NKJV) Jesus Cleanses a Leper
(Matt. 8:1–4; Luke 5:12–16)
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.” 41 Then Jesus, moved with compassion, stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, “I am willing; be cleansed.” 42 As soon as He had spoken, immediately the leprosy left him, and he was cleansed. 43 And He strictly warned him and sent him away at once, 44 and said to him, “See that you say nothing to anyone; but go your way, show yourself to the priest, and offer for your cleansing those things which Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.” 45 However, he went out and began to proclaim it freely, and to spread the matter, so that Jesus could no longer openly enter the city, but was outside in deserted places; and they came to Him from every direction.
V40 “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.” Leprosy is also called Hansen’s disease (caused by Mycobacterium leprae). In the Bible leprosy is any chronic infectious skin disease causing permanent damage. God’s laws concerning these type of disease is found in Leviticus 13-14. Kneeling is an act acknowledging one’s humility in front of someone superior. Clean and unclean refer to Mosaic defilement. Defilement separates a person from God’s fellowship, which makes it an ideal illustration of the terribleness of sin. Only God can cure these diseases especially the disease of the soul (sin).
V41 “Then Jesus, moved with compassion, stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, “I am willing; be cleansed.” Compassion is a character trait of God (Psalm 145:8). Compassion may be conditional (Deuteronomy 13:17and Psalm 103:13), unconditional (V41), given to one who asks forgiveness (1 Kings 8:50), an action hoping for repentance of sin (Psalm 78:38 and Matthew 9:36), and expected from the life of a Christ follower (Colossians 3:12).
V42 “As soon as He had spoken, immediately the leprosy left him, and he was cleansed.” Healing was complete instantly. Not only was the disease gone but so was his defilement.
V43 “And He strictly warned him and sent him away at once…” Jesus wanted this man to give glory to God by going to the priests to witness this healing according to the law of Moses. This was to be done first, then tell others. It is a good principle of Christian life. See Leviticus 14:1-32.
V44 “…and said to him, “See that you say nothing to anyone; but go your way, show yourself to the priest, and offer for your cleansing those things which Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.”
V45 “However, he went out and began to proclaim it freely, and to spread the matter, so that Jesus could no longer openly enter the city, but was outside in deserted places; and they came to Him from every direction.” He did not obey Jesus.
(Ryle Expository Thoughts): “There is a lesson in all this of deep importance, however difficult it may be to use it rightly. It is clear that there are times when our Lord would have us work for Him quietly and silently, rather than attract public attention by a noisy zeal. There is a zeal which is “not according to knowledge,” as well as a zeal which is righteous and praiseworthy. Everything is beautiful in its season. Our Master’s cause may on some occasions be more advanced by quietness and patience, than in any other way. We are not to “give that which is holy to dogs,” nor “cast pearls before swine.” By forgetfulness of this we may even do more harm than good, and retard the very cause we want to assist.
“The subject is a delicate and difficult one, without doubt. Unquestionably the majority of Christians are far more inclined to be silent about their glorious Master than to confess Him before men—and do not need the bridle so much as the spur. But still it is undeniable that there is a time for all things; and to know the time should be one great aim of a Christian. There are good men who have more zeal than discretion, and even help the enemy of truth by unseasonable acts and words.”
We learn:
- Jesus can heal instantly whether physical, emotional, or spiritual disease.
- Jesus had compassion.
Questions:
- Are we discerning when to spread the news or not spread the news of Jesus’s deliverances for us?
- Do we obey Jesus’s rules as listed in the New Testament?