S – While he was in one of the towns, a man was there who had leprosy all over him. He saw Jesus, fell facedown, and begged him, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.” Reaching out his hand, Jesus touched him, saying, “I am willing; be made clean,” and immediately the leprosy left him. ¹⁴ Then he ordered him to tell no one

 Lk 5:12–14 CSB

O – There is a lot going on in this story.  Jesus now has disciples.  They encounter a man in full-bloom leprosy.  Leprosy is a skin disease that is highly infectious.  This would make this man “unclean” according to Jewish law.  The man could not be close to people, go into the temple to worship and had to announce his “uncleanliness” as he walked. 

    He recognizes Jesus as Lord. (Same word for Lord as the one Peter used when he caught all the fish earlier.) The leper asks the question – are you willing?  This is a question many of us ask today of God. Are you willing to do this for me?  It makes sense from the leper because he has been an outcast from the moment his leprosy appears.  If culture told this man he is unworthy, would Jesus do the same?

    Secondly, Jesus touched him.  You can imagine the sheer surprise for the man, the disciples and the onlookers when Jesus did that.  Jesus made himself ceremoniously unclean by touching the man.  Yet, he was instantly healed. Jesus demonstrated that He was the one who made someone ceremoniously clean.  (Only two other recordings of healing from leprosy – Miriam and Namaan). Jesus broke the norm to meet the man where he was and took his affliction from him…see the theme?

A – In making Jesus our savior, we must continue to make him the Lord of our life.  In the times of asking about his willingness to do something, He is still Lord and faithful.  We must keep our faith strong. He continues to take our sins and afflictions upon Himself when we ask Him to take them.

R – Lord, help me to walk in these principles daily.