Got to Tell Somebody

There are many twists and turns in this short story about Jesus healing a man from leprosy. The story is found in Matthew 8:1-4, Mark 1:40-45, and Luke 5:12-14. Let's pick up the story in Mark: "Now a leper came to Him, imploring Him, kneeling down to Him and saying to Him, 'If You are willing, You can make me clean'" (v. 40).

A man who was suffering from leprosy came to Jesus, took a knee and bowed down before Him to honor and perhaps even worship Him. Yes, to worship Jesus. It would appear that this unnamed man had at least some understanding of who Jesus is. He had some measure of faith, however small that faith may be. This is revealed in the man's statement: "If You are willing, You can make me clean" (v. 40b). He at least knew that Jesus, and Jesus alone, possessed the power to heal him.

Jesus recognizes even a little faith and He encourages that faith to grow. "Then Jesus, moved with compassion, stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, 'I am willing; be cleansed'" (v. 41). Jesus didn't hesitate. He reached out and touched this man. He laid His hands on him and healed him. People would have gasped because of the fear of this disease.

Actually, Leprosy is a long-term infection which, if left untreated, can lead to damage of the nerves, respiratory tract, skin, and eyes. The nerve damage can cause an inability to feel pain, resulting in loss of a person's extremities through repeated injuries or unnoticed wounds. Though it spreads between people, extensive contact is necessary. Of people who contract the bacteria, 95% do not develop the disease (Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia).

"As soon as He had spoken, immediately the leprosy left him, and he was cleansed" (v. 42). In an instant, in the twinkling of an eye, this man was cleansed! He was healed! Such is the power of Jesus. He has such compassion. But Jesus "strictly warned him and sent him away at once" (v. 43). What is this about?

Jesus said, "See that you say nothing to anyone; but go your way, show yourself to the priest, and offer for your cleansing those things which Moses commanded, as a testimony to them" (v. 44). Jesus knew that the people would want to make Him king, but it wasn't His time yet. So He sent him away quickly to present himself to the priest to fulfill what was commanded and make the necessary offerings. He was to let that be his "testimony to them" (v. 44b).

"However, he went out and began to proclaim it freely, and to spread the matter, so that Jesus could no longer openly enter the city, but was outside in deserted places; and they came to Him from every direction" (v. 45). I can just imagine that this man tried the best he could to keep quiet, but it didn't work. As he tries to keep quiet he kept thinking, "Got to tell somebody." "Got to tell somebody." "I got to tell somebody!" And so he did.

How about you? Do you feel the same? Do you have to tell somebody about what Jesus means to you? Well, now we can feel free to spread the good news of Jesus. Go and tell somebody about Jesus. Amen.