(1) Repeated theme:
Jesus stepped away from the crowd who sought Jesus for healing v.33-34. He departed and went out to a deserted place for prayer v.35. Also he explained to his disciples that His main goal was to preach (not to heal) v.36-39.
Again, when Jesus healed the leper He strongly warned him not to say anything to anyone v.44.
(NET) The silence ordered by Jesus was probably meant to last only until the cleansing took place with the priests and sought to prevent Jesus’ healings from becoming the central focus of the people’s reaction to him. See also 1:34; 3:12; 5:43; 7:36; 8:26, 30; and 9:9 for other cases where Jesus asks for silence concerning him and his ministry.
However, the leper did not obey Jesus and Jesus was no longer able to enter any town openly but stayed outside in remote places v.45.
(2) What broke the rules Jesus set for Himself (i.e. preaching is prior to healing)?
a. 1:40 Now a leper came to him and fell to his knees, asking for help. “If you are willing, you can make me clean,” he said. 1:41 Moved with compassion, Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, “I am willing. Be clean!”
The pleading of the leper changed the plan of Jesus. He not only healed the leper's disease, but He touched him with compassion.
a. 1:40 Now a leper came to him and fell to his knees, asking for help. “If you are willing, you can make me clean,” he said. 1:41 Moved with compassion, Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, “I am willing. Be clean!”
The pleading of the leper changed the plan of Jesus. He not only healed the leper's disease, but He touched him with compassion.
leper=(NET) The ancient term for leprosy covers a wider array of conditions than what we call leprosy today. A leper was totally ostracized from society until he was declared cured
touching=(NET) This touch would have rendered Jesus ceremonially unclean (Lev 14:46; also Mishnah, m. Nega’im 3.1; 11.1; 12.1; 13.6–12).b. 1:42 The leprosy left him at once, and he was clean
1:43 Immediately Jesus sent the man away... v.44b but go, show yourself to a priest, and bring the offering that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them.
(BKC) The cleansing of the leper was an undeniable messianic sign (cf. Matt. 11:5; Luke 7:22) that God was working in a new way. If the priests declared the leper clean but rejected the One who cleansed him, their unbelief would be incriminating evidence against them.
The healing was done immediately and it was a strong evidence that Jesus is God. Therefore, Jesus sent the man away immediately and showed that evidence to the priest so that they would know that the Messiah had come.
The healing was done immediately and it was a strong evidence that Jesus is God. Therefore, Jesus sent the man away immediately and showed that evidence to the priest so that they would know that the Messiah had come.
Reflection: Physical healing could only deal with the immediate need of man. Only preaching could bring long lasting change to man. However, Jesus was willing to heal to show people Who He is. But, that is not all, He showed His compassion when He healed.
What about us? Are we willing to change our plan because there is a person in need? On the other hand, do we just get things done quickly and efficiently? Or do we get things done and show our compassion to the person in need?
Audrey
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