Matthew 8
Down from the mountain, out of
the multitudes, a leper comes to worship Jesus saying, “If you are willing, you
can make me clean.” (Matthew 8:2
NKJV) Wait. Stop right there. A who did what? What is a leper? Aren’t they bad?
The bible refers to lepers
more than 40 times (depending on which translation you are reading). During bible times, God had given the
Israelites instructions in Leviticus 13 on how to handle leprosy. Leprosy is a bacterial infection. Today, most cases of leprosy are from long-term
contact with someone who has leprosy.
While doctors are not sure, they believe that leprosy might be spread by
breathing in droplets that get into the air when infected people cough or
sneeze. This would explain why following
God’s instructions in Leviticus 13 for leprosy and other skin infections was
very important. Disobedience could cause
an epidemic of leprosy.
A leper was not allowed to
come within six feet of another person, and if the wind was blowing they could
not come within 150 feet of another person.
Yet, here in Matthew 8 we see a leper who has come to Jesus. The leper asks Jesus to heal him if it is His
will. Jesus responds by saying it is His
will, and the leper is healed.
It took boldness and faith
(they had just come down the mountain and had heard Jesus teach) to do what
this leper did. The leper stepped out in
faith and received healing. This is
representative of what Jesus has done for us through his death, burial, and
resurrection. We have been redeemed
(washed clean) from sin by grace through faith in Christ (Ephesians
2:8,9).
Our redemption is free (by
grace), but we must be bold and step out through faith in Christ. How?
God tells us, “If you declare with your
mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will
be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified,
and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.”
If you have not already followed these steps in
your life do so now. Just say with your
mouth “Jesus is Lord”. Believe in your
heart that God raised him from the dead.
It really is that simple.
Matthew 8 is full of much more amazing Word from
God. What stands out and speaks to you
in this chapter? Why?
Maybe you just follow the steps above, and are a
new believer. Share this another
believer in your life today. It’s an
exciting day! Today is your spiritual
birthday!
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