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THE LEPER HEALED
THERE is certainly a great similarity between many of our Lord’s miracles: but there are in every one of them some circumstances that distinguish them from others; and these open to us a wide field for appropriate and useful observations. There are different accounts of lepers healed by the power of Jesus. The text informs us of one whose manner of applying for relief, and of discovering his gratitude towards his benefactor, were very peculiar.
To elucidate the words before us we may inquire,
I. What “the matter was which he so published and blazed abroad”—
A man came to our Lord to be cured of the leprosy—
[The leprosy was a disorder which none but God could cure [Note: 2Ki_5:7.]. The man who was infected with it believed our Lord’s ability to heal him, but he knew not the marvellous extent of his compassion: hence he doubted his willingness to bestow so great a blessing. He submitted himself however to the will of this divine Physician, and with deepest humility implored his sovereign help [Note: He came kneeling to him, falling on his face, and beseeching him. Compare Mat_8:2. Luk_5:12.].]
Our Lord with infinite condescension granted his request—
[He was not extreme to mark the weakness of the leper’s faith; but, “moved with compassion,” gave him the desired relief. As a prophet of God he could touch the leper without contracting any defilement: he declared that the disease should vanish at his command, and instantly, by a touch, imparted soundness to the disordered body.]
He however accompanied the mercy with a solemn charge—
II. What was the injunction given him respecting it —
Our Lord directed him to go to the priest, and present immediately the accustomed offerings to God—
[The priests were appointed judges in all leprous cases. They were authorized to pronounce a man clean or unclean, according to certain marks laid down in the law of Moses [Note: Lev_13:1-46]. When a man was acknowledged to be clean he was to present his offerings to God [Note: Lev_14:2-32.]. This therefore our Lord enjoined the the leprous man to do. In doing it he would exact from the priest himself “a testimony” to the truth of the miracle that had been wrought, and would give abundant evidence that the person who wrought it was not an enemy to the Mosaic law; yea, he would shew that the worker of this miracle was no other than the Messiah himself.]
He charged him also not to divulge the matter to any one till he should have performed this service—
[The injunction given our Lord was as solemn and strict as possible [Note: ó õ í á í ô é ë á ì â Ü í å ô á é , graviter interminatus ei, ver. 43.]. Jesus might be actuated in part by desire to avoid all appearance of ostentation. It is possible also he might wish not to give umbrage to the state by increasing the number of his followers; but chiefly he was solicitous to guard against the malice of the priests. He well knew that they, from their enmity to him, might be induced to deny the cure, and thus they would both cast a reflection upon him, and deprive the man of the liberty to which he was now entitled. Hence with such solemnity and authority did he enjoin the leper to “say nothing to any man.”]
This charge however the leper did not sufficiently regard—
III. What were the consequences of his disobeying that injunction—
The man could not refrain from “publishing the matter” to all around him—
[He felt in his body a consciousness of perfect health; and, as might well be expected, his soul was inflamed with gratitude to his merciful Benefactor: he never thought what reasons there might be for the prohibition. It is probable he thought the injunction proceeded only from modesty, and the more he supposed it to proceed from this principle, the more would he be anxious to spread his Benefactor’s fame. To offer his appointed gift he went instantly, and with great gladness; but he knew not how to check the ardour of his love and gratitude; nor can we wonder that he overlooked the command given him. We mean not however to justify his disobedience: for the word of God utterly condemns every deviation from the Divine will [Note: Deu_27:26.]: but the leper’s disobedience most assuredly sprang from a good principle; nor can we doubt but that the indulgent Saviour, who well knew his motives, would readily pardon it.]
Though evil consequences ensued, yet were they overruled for good—
[Our Lord’s fame spread with great rapidity through all the country. Hence he was much incommoded by the multitudes who flocked around him; nor “could he any more openly enter into the city by reason of them.” He was forced to seek for solitude and retirement “in desert places:” but the multitudes who came were desirous “to hear” his word; and occasion also was afforded by them for the working of many other miracles [Note: Luk_5:15.]. Thus great benefit accrued to the bodies certainly, and we trust also, to the souls, of many.]
Address—
1. Are there any here who feel themselves infected with the leprosy of sin?
[The corruption of our hearts is often set forth under this figure: nor is there one amongst us that is not infected with it. Indeed so fatally has it spread, that we may well apply to ourselves that lothesome description [Note: Isa_1:5-6.]— and, in reference to this very disorder, exclaim with the prophet [Note: Isa_6:5.], “Woe is me, I am undone!” Let not any one however who feels the infection, hope to heal himself: the disorder bids defiance to every hand but God’s. Come then to Jesus, the almighty, the only, physician of souls: come to him, like the leper, with the deepest humility, and reverence; nor doubt his willingness, any more than his power, to heal you. Ask yourselves, wherefore he came from heaven? Was it not to seek and save the lost? Wherefore was the fountain of his blood opened, but for sin, and for uncleanness [Note: Zec_13:1]? Let then the declaration he has made, encourage every one amongst you [Note: Joh_6:37.]. However polluted you be, he will condescend to touch you, and by his sovereign power will remove the guilt and pollution of your sins.]
2. Are there, on the other hand, any who hope that they have been healed of their leprosy?
[There is no injunction upon you to conceal this matter from the world: you are rather commanded to make it known to all around you. He said to the demoniac, “Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath bad compassion on thee [Note: Mar_5:19.]” And thus also he says to you. Not that spiritual blessings should be a subject of ostentatious boasting [Note: Pro_25:27; Pro_27:2.];” but it never can be wrong to comply with that ardent exhortation of the Psalmist [Note: Psa_105:1-3.]— or to perform that very duty, for the promoting of which the mercy was vouchsafed [Note: 1Pe_2:9.]. Let every one then adopt the language of the blessed virgin [Note: Luk_1:46-48.]— but let there be also a conscientious regard to the commands of Jesus. Whether we see the reasons of them or not, we must punctually observe them. Thus will Christ eventually be magnified in our contact, and sinners will be most effectually encouraged to flock unto him.]