Jesus began his activity with the announcement that the kingdom of God had arrived on Earth (Matthew 4.17). Like putting up an “Under New Management” sign, Jesus declared God’s plans for humanity.
As the new manager of planet Earth, Jesus taught with authority. He answered the question, “Who is in control here?” with the affirmation that he was.
The crowd recognized his authoritative teaching following the Sermon on the Mount.
Now when Jesus had finished saying these words, the crowds were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority and not as their scribes (Matthew 7.28-29).
Not only are Jesus’ words full of power and authority, but his actions reveal the presence of God’s rule on earth.
Matthew provides 10 examples of what the world looks like when Jesus, the King of the kingdom, is active among humans. The first involves a leper.
There was a man with a skin disease (a leper) who came to him and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean” (Matthew 8.2).
All manner of skin diseases were considered to be leprosy in the ancient world. To be a leper was to be “dead” while still living.
When Miriam’s skin became diseased, Aaron recognized the seriousness of her situation. She would be banished from society to live a solitary life until death.
He appealed to Moses and said, “Oh, my lord, do not punish us for a sin that we have so foolishly committed. Do not let her be like one stillborn, whose flesh is half consumed when it comes out of its mother’s womb” (Numbers 12.11-12).
Aaron believed that Miriam’s physical condition was punishment for sin. Moses’ intercession brought forgiveness and healing.
You may remember Uzziah as the king whose death precipitated Isaiah’s profound experience of God and his call to the ministry (Isaiah 6). You may not recall what brought about the death of the king.
According to the Chronicles, Uzziah became proud and overstepped his authority and he was judged.
A defiling disease broke out on his forehead, in the presence of the priests in the house of the Lord, by the altar of incense.
When the chief priest Azariah, and all the priests, looked at him, he was diseased on his forehead. They hurried him out, and he himself hurried to get out, because the Lord had struck him (2 Chronicles 26.19-20).
Jesus’ Willingness
The leper believed that Jesus had the power to heal him. He wasn’t sure of Jesus’ willingness. Jesus quickly made it clear that he was willing.
He stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, “I am willing. Be made clean!” Immediately his skin disease (leprosy) was cleansed (Matthew 8.3).
Lepers were considered to be unclean and anyone who touched them was believed to be unclean, too.
Glenn Clark made this observation and asked, “Why is it that one person with influenza can infect a room full of people, but one healthy person can’t heal a room full of influenza patients?”
Certain diseases are very contagious and we are wise to not touch the patient. Jesus is not subject to the same rules. He has authority over sickness and his touch results in health.
Jesus’ touch is inclusive. We don’t know how long the leper lived in solitude, separated from friends and family. Not only did Jesus extend God’s love to the leper, but he also restored him to society.
Follow the Rules
Jesus did not bypass the teaching of the Law. He said, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfill” (Matthew 5.17).
His command to the healed man emphasized fulfilling the requirements of the law.
Then Jesus said to him, “See that you say nothing to anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, as a testimony to them” (Matthew 8.4).
It is widely believed that Jesus wanted the man to be silent to avoid popular beliefs about the Messiah. Jesus wanted to define what it meant to be the Messiah. He didn’t want well-meaning people to convey less than complete information about his place in the Father’s activity.
Jesus told the man to follow the prescription for the re-introduction into society of a healed leper found in the Book of Leviticus.
The fact that he was cleansed from leprosy would show the authorities that he was ready to resume a life with friends and family.
It would also be a witness to them about Jesus’ gracious power.
YouTube Discussion
Rudy Ross and I discussed this passage on YouTube today. It is on the Bob Spradling channel.
Real Voices 