B3-devotions

Luke 5:12-16

Devotions for Tuesday 2nd March

Review

This simple story of the healing of a leper beautifully captures the early ministry of Jesus. It is a story of human need met by the compassion of the Saviour, who was able and willing to use His authority and power to surmount all obstacles and bring a deeper measure of healing than was believed possible. The story has some intricacies, but in comparison to other healing miracles of Jesus, it is very easily understood, and is often read today in services of healing.

The story occurs at the beginning of Jesus’ ministry in Luke, and is also found early in Jesus’ ministry in other Gospels. It is in the first chapter of Mark (1:40-45), and in Matthew, it is immediately after the ‘Sermon on the Mount’ (Matt 8:1-4). The story is similar in each Gospel, and later on in the study we will look closer at the differences and similarities (see ‘going deeper’). Here in Luke, there is little structure to the Gospel, and from this point until Jesus enters Jerusalem (19:29f.), Luke tells us about Jesus’ life by relating a mixture of healing and miracle stories, together with reporting His teaching, including the famous parables such as the ‘Good Samaritan’ (10:30f.), and describing other famous incidents such as the transfiguration (9:28).

We tend to think of leprosy as one disease, but in ancient times, the term could refer to a number of infectious skin diseases. However, because of the fear of leprosy itself and its power to main and destroy life, anything like an infectious skin disease might be interpreted as a form of leprosy and people were unwilling to take chances with it. Those who contracted any skin disease were called ‘lepers’ and defined by this dreaded name. They had to leave a community, and could only return to normal life if the infection had completely disappeared. The book of Leviticus contains instruction for priests about how to determine whether someone had ‘leprosy’ and whether the disease had been healed (Leviticus 13,14).

Against this background, one leper ventured close to Jesus as he was visiting a town (5:12). How he managed to get close to Jesus is a mystery, because lepers were usually kept at a distance. The story implies considerable courage either on the part of the leper to get to Jesus, or on the part of Jesus to come close to this leper on the outskirts of a town. This man had heard about Jesus’ power to heal and seems to have had no doubt that Jesus could help him. He called out ‘Lord, if you want to, You can make me clean!’ (5:13), challenging Jesus to take notice of him amongst the crowds (4:42, 5:1).

Jesus responded immediately to man’s faith by confirming that His will was to heal; He said, ‘I want to. Be clean!’ (5:13); the leprosy left the man and he was healed (5:13). Looking carefully, we can see that the man asked to be made clean, meaning that he asked to be made ritually clean and acceptable in the community; in other words, he wanted his life back. Jesus granted him his request, and in their minds there was no difference between ‘cleanliness’ and what we mean by ‘healing’. In this instance, the two were one and the same thing. To prove that he had been healed, Jesus told the man to go and fulfil the legal requirement of cleanliness before a priest. This would be the ‘proof’ necessary for the man to regain His place in the community (5:14). Jesus was not suggesting that the laws of Moses were a necessary part of the healing itself, but they were a part of the process whereby a Jew might be received back into a Jewish community.

The scene concludes with Jesus gaining more notoriety and gathering even greater crowds seeking similar healing. It is therefore not surprising that here, as at other significant moments in Jesus’ life, he withdrew from the crowd to be with the Father in prayer. In this way, He gained the spiritual sustenance to continue such demanding ministry and meet the needs of all who came to Him.

Going Deeper

The Bible study goes deeper to look at these issues:

Why was leprosy feared so much and what does the Old Testament say about it?
How does this passage compare in detail with Matthew 8:1-4 and Mark 1:40-45
Where and when does Jesus go to one side to pray?

12 When Jesus was in one of the towns, a man was there who was covered with leprosy. When he saw Jesus, he bowed with his face to the ground and implored Him, ‘Lord, if you want to, You can make me clean." 13 Jesus reached out His hand, took hold of the leper and said, ‘I want to. Be clean.’ And the leprosy left him immediately! 14 Then He ordered the man, ‘Tell no one, but go and show yourself to the priest and make an offering for your cleansing, as Moses commanded, as proof for them.’

15 However, the news about Jesus spread around all the more, and great crowds would gather to hear him and to be healed of their illnesses. 16 But he would get away to isolated places and pray.

Father, You are light to my soul.

You are a light that exposes things I do not want to see, a light that illuminates my sin and shames me; may I always be ready to repent, I pray.

You are a light that reveals the future, and shows my heart what I must do to be Your servant; may I always be ready to be obedient in service, I pray.

Father, You are a light that shines forever. Complete Your work in me and in all Your world, I pray: AMEN

When your mind is stirred by Truth, do not let go;

Catch the gift and hold it, and use this eternal treasure.

When your life is warmed by Love, do not ignore it

Let the radiant power of love’s embrace enfold you.

When your heart is lifted by Hope, do not turn aside;

Look intently to the One who gave you hope, in love.

When your feelings are blessed by Joy, do not look down;

Breathe the exalted air of happiness and let it thrill you.

When your soul is challenged by Life, do not despair;

Accept the test, it shows the truth about your capabilities.

When your spirit is touched by Light, do not hide away;

Bless the gracious gift of peace with God revealed.

Prayer ideas

Look out for work of the Holy Spirit, who gives meaning to everything, and ask Him to work through you.

On-going prayers

Pray for Christian Aid agencies Pray for them when they have to work with non-Christian organisations in order to achieve their goals
Pray for Haiti and for those ravaged by recent storms
Pray urgently for the country of Chile after the earthquake there

Read more / NOTES / GOING DEEPER / APPLICATION / DISCIPLESHIP

To continue your devotions, do one of the following:

Brief Bible study - scroll down to read the brief version of today’s Bible study
Full Bible study - click on ‘Full Bible study’ to access the full range of study and discipleship material available today
Select your own Bible study by using one of the alternative links below, or click ‘return selections’ for more possibilities