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.” 

¹³ Reaching out his hand, Jesus touched him, saying, “I am willing; be made clean,” and immediately the leprosy left him

Luke 5:12–13 CSB

O –  Commentary:

Jesus encountered a man … covered with leprosy (lit., “full of leprosy”). Perhaps he was in the final stages of leprosy—a fact which would have been easily discernible in the man’s home community. The Law (Lev. 13) commanded strict segregation of a person who had leprosy, for it was a graphic picture of uncleanness. A leprous person could not worship at the central sanctuary; he was ceremonially unclean and therefore cut off completely from the community.

This leper addressed Jesus as Lord (kyrie) as Simon had also done (Luke 5:8). Though the term was often used as one would today use “sir,” it seems to have stronger import here. The leper did not doubt the ability of Jesus to heal him, for he said, If You are willing You can make me clean. His only reservation seemed to be Jesus’ willingness. According to the Mosaic Law one who was leprous was not to be touched by anyone who was ceremonially clean. When someone clean touched something unclean, the clean became unclean. Luke, in describing Jesus’ actions, showed that Jesus was the Source of ceremonial cleansing. If He was the Source of cleansing for that leper, He would also be the Source of ceremonial cleansing for the nation. This theme is carried on into the next healing (vv. 17–26) and into the call of Levi (vv. 27–39). At the touch of Jesus, immediately the leprosy left him. The immediacy of the healing brings to mind 4:35 and 4:39. Healing from leprosy was rare. The Scriptures record only Miriam (Num. 12) and Naaman (2 Kings 5) as having been healed of leprosy (cf. Moses; Ex. 4:6–7)

“Luke,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed

A – Jesus was willing to go into the “unclean” so the person could be “clean.”  He was willing to touch the untouchable. It brought immediate cleansing.  That is what He does for us today.  It might not be visible on our skin but it is so true in our hearts and sinful ways.  Knowing the separation that comes from leprosy, it reminds us that we are no longer isolated from God because of our sins.  

R – Heavenly Father, thank you for getting into our “mess.”  We invite Your Holy Spirit to minister to forgiveness and cleansing to us today.  We surrender all that isolates us from You.  Thank you for allowing us access to Your presence and power today.