Matthew's Message: Seven NuggetsSample

Healed of leprosy

“And behold, a leper came to Him and knelt before Him [= Jesus].” (Matthew 8:2)

Here we encounter a man whose life is marked by rejection and horror. His life is shattered, his career is gone, his relationships are broken, and his body is deteriorating. The only thing he has to look forward to is loneliness, more and more body parts falling off, and ultimately death. And now he hears about a man who is healing the sick.

For once in his life, he doesn't flee, but he comes closer. He hobbles on his deformed feet towards Jesus. Jesus waits. “Lord Jesus, You have allowed me to come. I am here. I am kneeling. Please don't say, ‘Go away!’”

Let me make a side note. Leprosy is not just any disease. It is a metaphor for sin. Leprosy starts with a small white spot that hardly catches the eye. Sin starts so small, but it gradually takes hold of you more and more. Sin is ugly, repulsive, incurable, contagious, disfiguring, and leads to death. On the outside of the leper, we see the ugliness and hopelessness that we would see if sin were visible. Leprosy is like an X-ray of sin.

I invite you: kneel before Jesus! You might think: I don't want to be compared to a leper. But it's not hopeless because Jesus offers healing. There is something to be done: kneel before Jesus.