Miracles of Jesus Part 3

 Miracles of Jesus Part 3

Jesus heals a Leper

Matthew 8v 2-3  "And behold a leper came to Jesus and knelt before him, saying "Lord, if you will, you can make me clean".  Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, "I will, be clean" and immediately his leprosy was cleansed. 

I always thought that Leprosy was a skin disease, that made people 'unclean' or contagious so they were forced to live in isolation.  But in my study I have found that Leprosy in the Bible was much more than this.   This is the most simple definition I could find.

Leprosy was "the outward and visible sign of the innermost spiritual corruption; a meet emblem in its small beginnings, its gradual spread, its internal disfigurement, its dissolution little by little of the whole body, of that which corrupts, degrades, and defiles man's inner nature, and renders him unmeet to enter the presence of a pure and holy God"

The most simple way I can put it -  is Leprosy was much more than just a physical problem.  The person with Leprosy, was called unclean, they would be an outcast of society, no-one would want to come near never mind touch them.  Their life would be one of separation from their families and friends, they would be homeless, and without hope for a better future.  Their hopes and dreams would be eaten away on the inside as their flesh was eaten away on the outside.  The pain of rejection and separation together with the physical pain is un-thinkable.  

But here we see Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him.  Jesus didn't turn him away, he didn't call him names, instead he touched the untouchable and spoke with love and compassion.  This man came to Jesus with just a thread of hope and probably much fear, but what had he to lose, he knew there was no other hope for him, he was dying anyway, but he managed to get enough courage to come to Jesus and say "If you will, you can make me clean". It was a statement of faith and hopelessness at the same time.   He had faith that Jesus 'Could' heal but the question was 'Would' He do it for him.  I hear this question many times from people in all sorts of situations today.  Most people I talk to believe Jesus 'Can' do mighty miracles, but the big question still remains 'Is it's God's Will for me to be healed".

 I love this story, because to me it is a beautiful picture of God's Amazing Grace, even though each one of us were 'unclean' and separated from a Holy God, totally undeserving of his love and grace, being eaten and destroyed by our sinful ways, yet he loved us so much that he sent his only Son to die for us.  He will not turn anyone away and his plan of salvation is for healing and restoration for the whole man - body, soul and spirit.

This question of "will he heal me" is rooted in the spirit of rejection.  Rejection is not just about feeling rejected, left out or not fitting in, but it opens the door to so much more the biggest thing being the spirit of 'Condemnation' - thoughts and words like - "you're not good enough" "who do you think you are" "you deserve to suffer" and on and on.  Rejection also hinders our faith - it causes doubt to question everything we hear and stops us from receiving. 

How Rejection works - is that because we don't want to suffer rejection again we build walls and barriers up around our heart, but in doing so we are pushing ourselves into further isolation and rejection - because what keeps pain and hurt out - also keeps the 'Good things' like healing and forgiveness out.  So a vicious circle appears - where we lose faith, we lose trust in people and God and instead of letting God be our protection, we try to protect ourselves - and in our attempts to protect ourselves we only push away those who are trying to help, including God.  And the result is that we feel let down and rejected again and again. 

Jesus met this man with compassion and he met him where his faith was.  Jesus will always met us on our level - He is always wanting to take us higher.  Accepting his Love towards us breaks the stranglehold of rejection and fear and everything that comes with it. 

“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.” 1 John 4v18

When we are reaching out to others who are hurting, we must come with this same 'mind of Christ' this same attitude - ready to met the person at the level they are at.  Reaching out to them with patience and love, not of ourselves but empowered by the the Holy Spirit.  We can take hold of the little faith they may have and add the faith of God working in us to it - assuring them that Jesus loves them.  We can minister to the pain OR we can minister the Goodness and the Love of God toward them.  You may ask what is the difference?   Jesus demonstrated the love of God to this man by stretching out his hand and touching him - on his level - he didn't even address the problem - he didn't start preaching or teaching to the man - he spoke acceptance, faith and power.  He ministered grace and forgiveness. 

People want to talk about their problem - But we are called to talk about the Goodness of God, the Love of Jesus and the great plan of Salvation that he has provided.

It is the responsibility of the Child of God to tell people about Jesus and his love.  It is our responsibility to be ready and prepared to take each opportunity that God would give to us, by being filled with his love and his Spirit in our own lives. Set free from rejection, religion and fear.  We cannot minister to someone through our own compassion - because if we do we will only be speaking about our own pain - but we must minister Christ's Compassion.  It was Christ who suffered in our place - it was Christ Jesus who paid the price, so therefore we must always be pointing people to him - to what he has done for us and what he wants to do for them. 

In my study of these miracles I have felt a hunger rising up in me to see the demonstration of this wonderful Salvation.  I realise that people need to see and hear that Jesus is Alive and that he is the same yesterday, today and forever.  He never changes.  I pray that you are also inspired and hungry for more of God's power in your own life and in others.  May we rise together in these days as Minister's of Fire to bring glory to our Father and Lord Jesus Christ.  Amen. 

This song "Many Waited" talks about those who heard and seen the miracles Jesus did - but they still failed to recognise Him as the Son of God.  Many today talk about the bible and talk about Jesus - but still fail to recognise and understand the power - Jesus was anointed by the Holy Spirit to do good and to heal all that were oppressed of the devil. I believe that's the Jesus that people are still looking for today - in you and in me. 

Whether you need healing yourself or you want to be used by God to minister healing to others - you can make this song your prayer. Because Jesus is standing before you today - and hs is longing to touch you and to lift you higher.  xx

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