Title: Matthew 8:2-3 Healing a leper
◎ Introduction
: This is a spiritual healing scene that vividly shows the power of Jesus to heal and purify the dirtiest people.
① The crowds follow Jesus (1)
② Leper (2)
③ The Lord Jesus (3)
④ A person who has been cleansed (4)
Leprosy - The most feared disease of the time, it was the subject of great fear. Leprosy was a debilitating disease, sometimes fatal.
1. The leper was considered completely unclean physically and spiritually
“The leper shall tear his clothes, let his hair loose, and cover his upper lip, and shall cry unclean and unclean” (Lev 13:45)
2. Lepers were judged dead - lepers had to wear black to be recognized as dead
3. The leper was completely expelled from this world as well as from heaven. always had to live outside the gates
“As long as he is sick, he shall always be unclean; and if he is unclean, he shall live alone, but outside the camp” (Leviticus 13:46).
4. Because the leper was totally unclean, it was considered incurable by any human means.
※ The leper could only be healed by God and His power (Jesus healed the leper to prove His Messiahship and divinity)
Two proofs through the ministry of Jesus
1. Jesus proved that He was God and that He had His power.
“The king of Israel … said, “How can God be able to kill and save a man? Why does he send a man to me to heal the leper? Know that it is Ham” (2 Kings 5:7).
2. Jesus proved himself to be the Messiah and Savior of the world
※ Whereas the priests declared that the leper had been healed, Jesus made him clean. He removed the leprosy (sin) far away.
The leper was healed. However, not all people who pray are healed. Why is there no cure?
※ The answer lies with God. God considers at least four things about our supplications (Ephesians 1:3; 2 Corinthians 1:3-11; compare Philippians 1:29).
1. It is the glory of God. - Will it bring great glory to God's name?
2. It is for our good (physical and spiritual)
① Inside the Spirit: Is it spiritually stronger? In which direction will your faith and trust in God grow further? is a matter of
② Outside the Spirit: How does God want to use me? (Used as a hero of prayer, used as an amazing proof of granting spiritual power)
※ No matter who claims what, God's power is sometimes shown more powerfully by showing it through sickness and weakness (2 Corinthians 12:8-9)
3. It is the wisdom of God. - God knows everything.
※ Who needs what? When do you need it? For whom do you need it?
Where do you need it? How do you need it? Why do you need it?
4. It is God's mercy - God wants people to know about His mercy.
※ God chooses the best way for those who suffer and for those around them.
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