Warriors Arise: June 2, 2021
Matthew 8:1-3 (NKJV) When He had come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed Him. 2 And behold, a leper came and worshiped Him, saying, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.” 3 Then Jesus put out His hand and touched him, saying, “I am willing; be cleansed.” Immediately his leprosy was cleansed.
I have a difficult time getting a clear picture of this event. It is a historical event for a number of reasons. Lepers lived outside of the city in desolate hideaways. They were not permitted to come into the city. They were forbidden to be near people. Leprosy, at that time, was feared to be extremely contagious. To read that there is a great multitude following Jesus and "behold, a leper came and worshiped Him" seems totally out-of-place.
Lepers would not have been permitted to roam. Maybe they didn't have family members bringing them food so they would have to try and hide themselves in order to get food. Lepers were supposed to call out that they were approaching so people would have time to back up or scatter. They were not just to be in among the throng of people.
We do not know how close this leper comes into the multitude of people. All we know is that the leper came and worshiped Jesus. Was he calling from the edge of the crowd? Was he up on a ridge shouting out to Jesus? Did he really enter the multitude and bow before Jesus and worship Him?
Have you been in a place, a positioning life where you felt people didn't want to be around you? Maybe you felt there was always something wrong with you so you pulled back and lived a life of isolation. However, no one is created to live in isolation. God created us to live in relationship with Him and others. We are to build up each other, encourage and edify. We are to disciple people in the Word. We are to link together and advance His kingdom. God is so very good. He designed us to fellowship with Him.
This leper has no right by law to come into the multitude. He has no right according to the ways of the people to approach Jesus. Yet, he knows he is destitute to a life of isolation and loneliness if he doesn't seize the opportunity. Jesus is before him and from what he has heard Jesus has not turned anyone away who has asked to be healed.
This leper came and worshiped Jesus. This leper had known rejection to the highest level. He didn't want his life to continue this way. It was painful for his body to rot and fall off piece by piece. It caused torment to his mind and heavens to his heart. But here is Jesus. Here is the man who he has heard heal to many others.
Matthew 8:2 And behold, a leper came and worshiped Him, saying, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.”
There is not question in the leper's mind. Jesus is able to heal. He has the power to heal. The question he is tormented by, "Do you love me? Will you make me clean?" This leper does not struggle with the power Jesus carries. He knows Jesus can make him clean. This leper wants to know, "Are you willing? Do I discuss you? Can you see me beyond the leprosy?"
How long had it been since this leper had been touched. Jesus didn't have to. But He did. Jesus could have just spoke the word, "Be healed" and the leper would have been healed. If Jesus had spoken the word would the man have been restored in his heart and mind? I believe the leper still would have been healed but he needed to be restored. Jesus put out his hand and touched him. I wonder if the leper pulled back, turned his head or flinched. I wonder if at the touch of Jesus he crumbled to the ground as his emotions ran wild. Jesus, touched me!
It would not be unusual for Jesus to touch people; however, this is unusual because this is a leper. This leper had not been touched in a very long time. Just having Jesus extend his hadn't toward him probably made him recoil. Jesus wasn't only willing to cleanse the leper by His word but He was willing to restore this leper by His touch.
Leprosy is such an wicked illness. It is in a category all on its own. If Jesus had not made the distinction, I would have thought it to be something to heal someone from. But Jesus specifically says to cleanse the lepers. When Jesus sent out His disciples He specifically told them to cleanse the lepers. It would take great faith to touch something that was so contagious you could be infected. Think about the year we have been through.
Matthew 10:6-8 (NKJV) But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 7 And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ 8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.
We have freely been given the authority to go, preach, saying, "The kingdom of heaven is at hand." I do understand we do not need to go around touching strangers. However, family members, children, parents, and friends, they all need to be given a pat on the back, a touch on the arm, or a hug. This could totally be taken out of context. There are evil people out there who prey on the weak and take advantage of people. I am not saying we are to do this. I am not saying to go up to strangers and make them give you a hug. I am saying that touch, when it comes to a family member or a friend, communicates acceptance.
Father, it is so important that I hear You. Jesus cleansed this leper by His word and through demonstration of touch. Jesus was not afraid to touch this leper. I ask for You to help me to express that I accept the people You have brought into my life, into my family, as my friends. I ask for You to show me how I can let them know that I accept them. Heal me so I can be used to heal others. Cleanse me so I can cleanse others. Value You me with Your touch so I can value others with Your touch. I pray for You to restore me, my innermost being and make me whole again in Jesus' name amen.
A Warrior in the Lord’s Army,
Veridee Joy Hand
My hope is for Believers in Jesus Christ to join together each day to pray, to push back the enemy as we release God’s power here on earth against the coronavirus, riots, and lies. The prayers will be listed each day as Warriors Arise. I will put a date with it so we can keep them straight. If you have any questions please feel free to make a comment or private message me. If you would like this to come to your email directly please go to verideehand.com and subscribe.
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