And when He had come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed Him. And behold, a leper came to Him, and bowed down to Him, saying, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.” And He stretched out His hand and touched him, saying, “I am willing; be cleansed.” And immediately his leprosy was cleansed. And Jesus said to him, “See that you tell no one; but go, show yourself to the priest, and present the offering that Moses commanded, for a testimony to them.”
(Matthew 8:1-4)
Jesus has been teaching. Extensively. Passionately. Pouring out truth into the hearts and minds of his listeners who are “…amazed at His teaching; for He was teaching them as one having authority, and not as their scribes.” (Mt 7:28-29) Authority he had in endless measure as he walked as God incarnate in the world among the people he had made and come to save from the defilement of sin.
The salvation Jesus brought was dispensed, then as now, one precious soul at a time in the most intimate fashion. Our Elder Brother sows with words of truth waiting with infinite patience for the seed to take hold. He provides all that is needed for it to germinate and grow within the fertile soil of a hungry heart eager to rid itself of all that is wrong inside and share Jesus’ life of peace, joy and obedience to the Father. To be reconciled to the living God from whence it came.
The passage above tells of a leper who has come to Jesus. We know neither how old he is or how long he has suffered with the disease, although it may have been for some time as Luke’s gospel says that he was “full of leprosy.” He approaches the Lord “…and bowed down to Him…” The Greek word rendered “bowed” reflects an attitude of worship. Although the leper has been suffering from a dreadful infirmity that has forced him to live separate from society and has ravaged his life, even now, his approach to God is one, not of belligerence, anger or accusation but of humility, trust and hope.
~m
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