Cleansing Power
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1. The Leper’s Condition
1. The Leper’s Condition
He recognized his Desperate Condition.
Leprosy was
(ESV) And a leper came to him, imploring him, and kneeling said to him, “If you will, you can make me clean.”
Leprosy was a feared disease that was a death sentence. Many times those who were afflicted with it were said to be “struck by the hand of God.” (Ex. King Uzziah was struck while offering incense which was lawful only for the priest to offer.)
Leprosy was a feared disease that
40 And a leper came to him, imploring him, and kneeling said to him, “If you will, you can make me clean.” prosy was a feared disease that
Leprosy was a death sentence. The inflicted was pronounced unclean by the priest.
It was a picture of the damaging effects of sin.
It went deeper than the skin, causing decay and rot. While the effects of sin may be visible, the root is below the surface in a corrupt heart (Jesus said that defilement came from within).
It numbed the nerves so that a person could no longer feel pain. Sin sears the conscience so that a person is numbed to their guilt.
It isolated people from the family and friends. Sin divides and isolates us from God and others.
It always ended in death.
The inflicted was pronounced unclean by the priest.
(ESV) "it is a case of leprous disease. When the priest has examined him, he shall pronounce him unclean.”
3 and the priest shall examine the diseased area on the skin of his body. And if the hair in the diseased area has turned white and the disease appears to be deeper than the skin of his body, it is a case of leprous disease. When the priest has examined him, he shall pronounce him unclean.
Notice that the law could only pronounce a man unclean or clean, but it could not cleanse.
He acknowledged his Dependence on Christ.
He came
He came humbly and made his request.
Kneeling - a sign of repentance and surrender.
He came in faith.
“If you will, you can make me clean.”
The priest could not cleanse him.
His works could not cleanse him.
ONLY Christ could cleanse him.
2. Jesus’ Compassion
2. Jesus’ Compassion
Jesus sympathized with the man’s condition.
Jesus
He touched him, something that no one else would even dream of doing. Elisha didn’t even touch Naaman the Leper, he simply gave him instruction.
Jesus identified with the man’s plight and essentially risked taking the leprosy upon himself.
Our High Priest understands our weakness, (ESV) For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.
15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.
Jesus cleansed him.
Jesus did not just sympathize, he has the power to Save! He does not leave us as victims of our own sin, but he frees us.
“I will” - Jesus’ Will is for the curse to be reversed, His purpose was to seek and save that which was lost.
“Be clean” - Jesus’ Word provided instant cleansing. God’s Word accomplishes his purposes.
Jesus sent him.
He was sent to the priests as proof that what once condemned his condition, now saw him as righteous and clean.
How often would the requirements of have been used? The symbolism (two birds, one killed one freed after being dipped in the blood and washed) show a life set free due to the sacrifice of another.