Matthew, Mark, and Luke each share a glimpse into what happened when Jesus changed one man's life forever. Mark gives the most details on the background story. Let's look at it together.
Mark 1:35-39 And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, He went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed. And Simon and they that were with Him followed after Him. And when they had found Him, they said unto Him, All men seek for Thee. And He said unto them, Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also: for therefore came I forth. And He preached in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, and cast out devils.
Matthew confirms Jesus comes down from the mountain where a huge following of people are gathered.
Matthew 8:1 When He was come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed Him.
Before doing great miracles or ministering to the masses, Jesus got up early in the morning a long time before the sun was coming up. While others slept, Jesus rose early to be alone and pray.
There are so many amazing things we can do for the Kingdom of God. It is important to share our testimony, offer words of encouragement, and do great things to honor Jesus, but we must first begin our day with Him. How often do we scramble to the kitchen for a quick breakfast as we rush kids off to school and run through the morning routines without first stopping to talk with the Master?
The disciples went looking for Jesus and when they found Him, they let Him know everyone wants to see Him. They did not ask about His solitary prayer time. Jesus did not ask how many followers there were, sign autographs and take photos with "fans." He is clear on His mission to preach the Gospel. We cannot let followers sway us from keeping our shoulder to the plow. This is not the time to get caught up in the numbers. Instead, let's remember why we are here and allow God to work through us.
Luke's account begins with one man's story. Let's read it.
Luke 5:12 And it came to pass, when He was in a certain city, behold a man full of leprosy: who seeing Jesus fell on his face, and besought Him, saying, Lord, if Thou wilt, Thou canst make me clean.
Mark shares how this man is so desperate for Jesus to heal him, he begs Him.
Mark 1:40 And there came a leper to Him, beseeching Him, and kneeling down to Him, and saying unto Him, If Thou wilt, Thou canst make me clean.
It is repeated in Matthew's account:
Matthew 8:2 And, behold, there came a leper and worshipped Him, saying, Lord, if Thou wilt, Thou canst make me clean.
We do not know this man's name or how he knew Jesus and the power of His touch, but it is clear in all accounts this man has faith. He tells Jesus, "If You want to, You can heal me." Have there been times you have had such tremendous faith? Do you believe that if Jesus wants to, He can heal you, save you, forgive you, restore you, deliver you, or love you? If you ever wondered if Jesus wants to do those things, we will see what Jesus' response always is to those who have faith in Him.
Luke 5:13 And He put forth His hand, and touched him, saying, I will: be thou clean. And immediately the leprosy departed from him.
Mark 1:41-42 And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth His hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, I will: be thou clean. And as soon as He had spoken, immediately the leprosy departed from him, and he was cleansed.
Matthew 8:3 And Jesus put forth His hand, and touched him, saying, I will; be thou clean. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed.
“I will.”
“I will.”
“I will.”
Each account, Jesus tells the man, "I want to heal you," and immediately the leprosy is gone. Jesus is saying the same thing to each one of us today. If we have faith that Jesus has the power to heal, save, forgive, restore, deliver, and love, His response is, “I want to. I will.”
Jesus gives the man specific instructions on what to do according to the Old Testament law, then He tells the healed man to tell no one else. That may seem strange to us. Wouldn’t Jesus want others to know what the power of God can do? Wouldn’t the man’s family and friends, coworkers, others in his life who knew he was once a leper, wouldn’t they all know something miraculous happened? How could he keep this to Himself?
Matthew 8:4 And Jesus saith unto him, See thou tell no man; but go thy way, shew thyself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them.
Mark 1:43-45 And He straitly charged him, and forthwith sent him away; And saith unto him, See thou say nothing to any man: but go thy way, shew thyself to the priest, and offer for thy cleansing those things which Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them. But he went out, and began to publish it much, and to blaze abroad the matter, insomuch that Jesus could no more openly enter into the city, but was without in desert places: and they came to Him from every quarter.
Luke 5:14-16 And He charged him to tell no man: but go, and shew thyself to the priest, and offer for thy cleansing, according as Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them. But so much the more went there a fame abroad of Him: and great multitudes came together to hear, and to be healed by Him of their infirmities. And He withdrew Himself into the wilderness, and prayed.
Jesus no longer had the freedom to walk into a city and preach the Gospel. Now people sought Him for miracles. Yes, it is wonderful when Jesus performed miracles and helped so many people, but salvation is not in physical healing alone. The most important thing Jesus wanted to share was the free gift of salvation for whosoever will.
Sometimes we get so caught up in wanting to experience something supernatural and miraculous that we forget about the most miraculous thing…salvation. We can pray for others to be healed, delivered, set free from addictions or perhaps get a financial miracle. Those are great things to pray for. How often do we pray for their salvation? How often are we asking our friends and family about their walk with God? How concerned are we about where our loved ones will end up in eternity?
I have had a lot of prayer requests this year from others about specific needs being met and just like Jesus said to the leper, He is saying to us, “I want to. I will.” How about we pray just as much for our lost loved ones and acquaintances because His answer is the same. He wants to. He will.
I pray this blog post has been Strength for your journey & Light for your way. God bless you!
Bridgett Owens
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