In the Gospel of Matthew in chapter 8 we read about a leper who med Jesus Christ.
Jesus had just preached the famous sermon on the mount to a large crowd of followers. Though many followed it is only this leper who the Bible singles out as coming to Jesus that day.
You see this leper had a problem. Leprosy is a horrible disease that produced many large and grotesque soars all over the body. On top of that, lepers had to dwell away from the people because they were social outcasts.
They were also ceremonially unclean when it came to worship. That means they could not partake in any form of worship at the temple like the others.
For these reasons and others lepers are often used in the Bible as a picture of sinful man. Sin is detestable to God. It separates us from God. And it results in death to all. because of the seriousness of his disease, this leper was not content in just following Jesus.
He could have followed him all around the world, but unless he came to Him with his problem, he would remain a leper. He had a big problem and he believed Jesus could solve it. That’s why this leper went to Jesus and asked Him to heal him.
He worshipped Jesus and believed that He could heal him. He said, “Lord, if thou wilt, though canst make me clean.”
Jesus saw his problem, and his faith, and putting for His hand He simply touched the leper, saying, “I will, be thou clean” and immediately his leprosy was cleansed!
Just as this poor leper was healed when he came to Jesus with his need, poor sinners like you and I may come to Jesus today.
The Bible says that sin separates us from Holy God. That’s why children died of cancer … injustice is rampant, the world is full of suffering and death.
If God chose to leave us all in our sin, and judge us according to it, He would remain good.
But, He didn’t!
God so loved the world that He gave His Only Begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everylasting life.
Jesus took the wrath of God that was owed to you, in your place, that you being a sinner might be saved.
All that is required is that you see the wretchedness of your sin, your desperation as a lost sinner before a holy God, and you go to Jesus Christ, trusting that He paid your sin debt for you!
Jesus invites you to come to Him, just as that leper did! “Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 22:28)
Jesus paid it all. It is finished!