The Healing from Leprosy. <Luke 5:12-16>

Prelude: Leprosy in the bible

- Picture of sin: impurity, infectious.

- Miriam became leprous as she slandered Moses <Num 12>.

- "Social taboo", robbed of health, name, occupation, family, fellowship, and church worship

- Rarely being healed.

1. Fell face down and implored Him. <v12>

- Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.

 Men should not expect more than what God promises

2. Then He put out His hand and touched him. <v13>

- I am willing; be cleansed

 Union with Christ  Christ was so pure that it dispels all filth and defilement

 Doctrine and humanity (truth and grace).

 Let the light of Christ in us shine before men.

3. And He charged him to tell no one. <v14>

 The more inconsiderate zeal there is, the more rebellion to God.

- Go and show yourself to the priest.

 The leper should learn to give thanks and acknowledge that God had healed him.

- As a testimony to them.

 That the priest may have no excuse.

4. great multitudes came together to hear, and to be healed by Him of their infirmities. So He often withdrew into the wilderness and prayed. <v15-16>

- Jesus could no longer openly enter the city <Mk1:45>.

 In order to meet the needs of the crowd (wanting more miraculous healing), this would have drowned out sound doctrine.