Jesus Cleans the Unclean (Mark 1:40-45)
Sermon Summary
Pastor David Yan
14 January 2024
Here was a leper. He is unclean, physically and ceremonially. Here is Jesus, pure and sinless. Their meeting brought about the miraculous healing of the leper. Jesus cleanses the unclean.
Observe first the fact of leprosy. It was once the worst of diseases. Lepers were isolated from society. Their disease was incurable.
They were put into leper colonies. Consider that we are all by nature spiritual lepers. We are all unclean. There is none righteous, no, not one. We are lepers and our world is a leper colony.
Note the leper was aware of his disease. An awareness of one's condition is important. The leper approached Jesus. He implores. He kneels. Here is a picture of humility and dependence. Of such is the kingdom of God.
He admits his need of the Great Physician. People do not generally admit their need and so do not come to Jesus. Why do people avoid seeking a doctor or dentist? It is because they do not feel severe pain. But once severe pain is felt a person will be driven to seek help. The pain of knowing one's sinfulness and imperfections drives us to Jesus, the Great Physician.
Jesus is compassionate and willing. He touches the leper. He does what no one else will do. He stretched out his hand to touch the leper. It was deliberate and purposeful. Jesus is determined to cleanse the unclean. And what he determines he shall accomplish.
Jesus has the power and authority to bring about healing. Once Jesus spoke the word, the healing was immediate. When we come to Jesus for spiritual cleansing, and trust him for healing, we are immediately saved. We are accepted by our heavenly Father; justified by faith.
The leper's healing was to be a testimony to the priests. The Old Testament prescription for dealing with lepers was now fulfilled by someone greater than all the Old Testament priests. Jesus, the great high priest has come. The priests who confirmed the healing of this leper now had evidence to believe in Jesus for one greater than they had come.
Those of us who witness the spiritual cleansing of someone have evidence to believe in Jesus. His work is evident before our eyes. Come to Jesus. Believe in him. He will cleanse you of all uncleanliness.