Day 18

Luke 5:12–16 (NIV)

¹² While Jesus was in one of the towns, a man came along who was covered with leprosy. When he saw Jesus, he fell with his face to the ground and begged him, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.” ¹³ Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” And immediately the leprosy left him. ¹⁴ Then Jesus ordered him, “Don’t tell anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them.” ¹⁵ Yet the news about him spread all the more, so that crowds of people came to hear him and to be healed of their sicknesses. ¹⁶ But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.

Pray for God to show you something to use from the passage

Read the Passage

Who is in the passage?

What action verbs do you see?

What other words stick out in your mind

Helpful Information

The term leprosy in the Bible does not mean the disease commonly so called today but covered a wide variety of skin diseases, including some which were obviously regarded as highly contagious and incurable, while others were capable of cure It is therefore impossible to say precisely what disease is meant in the present passage, and some scholars think that a disease of nervous origin may be meant. In any case, the plight of a person suspected of leprosy was grave. He was sequestered from normal society, and, if cured, could be restored to it only after examination by the priest and the offering of sacrifice (Lv. 13–14)Marshall, I. H. (1978). The Gospel of Luke : A commentary on the Greek text. The New international Greek testament commentary. Exeter [Eng.: Paternoster Press.

Questions

Why did Jesus perform miracles?

What is suggested in the fact that Jesus reached out and touched the leper?

Take time today to withdraw and pray just as Jesus did. Pray for God to give you strength to face the issues you have in your life.

Notes

vs 12 -one of the towns- refers to 4:43 Jesus doing what he called to do

Chance meeting but man recognizes Jesus as Miracle worker he heard of

His reaction in some way similar to Peter's in vs 8, Difference Peter sees holiness and fears, man sees Jesus and sees hope. Peter needs healing from sins, man needs cleansing from lepersy. Both have holy respect for what Jesus is. Jesus reaches out, touches man, uses power- Jesus action in reaction to heart of man. Mans faith in Jesus seems to play part in healing

to Touch a leper was taboo, make Jesus unclean. Shows compassion. Jesus not concerned about being infected

Be Clean! - an order, sickness removed - shows healing power. The idea is that Jesus can clean physical things which is a miracle itself but sets up the contrast with the next story where Jesus cleans the spiritual which is more miraculous.

vs 14- Jesus still honors the Old Testament law

Don't tell anyone- Jesus not wanting to become just a healer? Main message is what he says, not just the miracles. miracles do give credence to his words

While Jesus didn't want man to tell he does Mark causes issues of crowd control see Mark 1:45

Vs 16 Jesus desire and need for prayer If Jesus needs it don't we?