Key Verse: Luke 5

Ice Breaker:

Q. What was your very first vehicle that you owned? Why did you choose it?

This world and our culture/society too often make decisions about the value and importance of people and situations based on the way they appear outwardly. The judge of value and importance is deciphered by the looks of people, companies, leaders, social media, etc. 

However, the true measure of these things is based on the inside: people’s heart, mind, spirit, and ultimately their faith. The inside affects the exterior, but we are people living in a fallen world. This is the side of heaven we are on the imperfect part.

Jesus knows our hearts, our thoughts, and our desires. He sees the exterior differently than what we display. Jesus sees the heavenly value and importance in us regardless of our appearance.

Matthew 9:4 (ESV); Psalm 37:3-4 (ESV)

Allowing God to fix us on the inside, will change us on the outside. He cares about our heart/spirit more than the exterior. We know there is something that needs to be covered up, that we are ashamed of, that needs to be changed and we just can’t do it! Only Jesus can and He is willing. God’s will is restoration.

Jesus brings restoration to us so that we can be near God on both sides of Heaven. On this side of Heaven, we can be forgiven and filled with the Holy Spirit. Eternity with God is now possible because of Christ. This is what we are truly made for – eternity with God.

Q. What are some examples of how we allow God to work on our internal selves so that it will lead to external transformation?  What personal external transformation can you share regarding this ongoing process?

There is a leper in all of us and Jesus is our only restoration!

Leprosy is a skin disease that, in the past, caused people to be labeled ceremonial unclean. They were outcasts of society. Leprosy is something that happens to a person that is out of their control. This is like a sin in our lives. Sin happened far before we were and it is something out of our control because we were born into it.

Leprosy is a picture of the consequences of sin and our separation from God. Outside of Christ, we are spiritual lepers to God. This is the severity of sin’s destruction.

The Leper brings three things to Jesus in this encounter.

1. The Leper shows HUMBLENESS despite his HOPELESS SITUATION.

Luke 5:12-16 (ESV)

The Leper, presumably having heard something about Jesus beforehand, comes before Him convinced that Jesus was able to heal him and hoping that Jesus was willing to heal him. The Leper did not actually ask to be made clean but only stated his belief that Jesus could make him clean. He put himself at the mercy of Jesus.

Psalm 149:9 (ESV)

Proverbs 11:2 (ESV); Matthew 23:12 (ESV)

Q. In what ways can we cultivate humility in our own lives, especially when facing challenging circumstances or seeking help from God?

2. The Leper acts on his BELIEF in the HEALING POWER of Christ

Matthew 4:23 (ESV)

3. The Leper has HOPE in Jesus’ WILLINGNESS to HEAL

The Leper believed in the power of Christ but doubted his willingness. However, he hoped for Jesus’s willingness to heal him.

James 1:5-6 (ESV)

Q. What can we learn from the Leper’s approach to Jesus in terms of our own expectations and hopes? How does his willingness to place himself at Jesus’ mercy challenge our own attitudes?

Four aspects of Jesus are shown through His encounter with the Leper.

1. Jesus shows us His KINGSHIP AUTHORITY

Matthew 7:28-29 (ESV); Mark 1:22 (ESV); Luke 4:14 (ESV)

Jesus has authority in teaching and in miraculous healing.  Before ever saying He had authority, Jesus demonstrated His authority in every interaction and encounter.

Matthew 28:18 (ESV); John 5:19 (ESV)

Q. What do you think it means for Jesus to have authority in every interaction and encounter? How does this concept apply to our lives as believers today?

2. Jesus shows us His first RESPONSE is COMPASSION.

Matthew 9:36; Matthew 14:14; Mark 6:34; Luke 7:13; Luke 10:33

There are many verses throughout Matthew Mark, and Luke regarding Jesus’s compassion. He heals the blind, heals the leper, raises a boy from the dead, etc.

3. Jesus shows us He has SUPERNATURAL POWER over WORLDLY AFFLICTION.

People have encounters with Jesus prior to Him healing the Leper. Before the Leper, there were substantial interactions of Jesus healing supernaturally.

Matthew 4:23-24 (ESV)

Mark 1:32-34 (ESV)

Luke 4:36 (ESV)

Q. How does Jesus’ emphasis on compassion influence our understanding of His ministry and mission? What does it teach us about how we should approach those in need or suffering today?

4. Jesus shows us His DESIRE, PURPOSE, and POWER to RESTORE.

Luke 5:13 (ESV)

The Greek word for ‘I will’ used in this passage means desire (wish/will), wanting what is best (optimal) because someone is ready and willing to act.

It seems as though Jesus, having heard the belief of the Leper, is so eager to show His willingness that there is no hint of hesitation in the healing. The touch and words of Jesus confirmed to the Leper the ability and willingness of Jesus to heal. Jesus does not need to touch the Leper, nor even need to say anything to heal this terrible incurable, and disabling disease. 

Luke 5:14 (ESV)

Presumably in telling the Leper to keep silent, Jesus’s intention was to discourage the crowd to seek Him only for miracles. While the law did include provision for confirmation of healing and an offering, presumably due to the incurable nature of advanced leprosy, this would have been extremely rare if not an ‘unheard-of’ event.

The only way to become ceremonially clean was with the priest’s approval of the man’s offering. Jesus wanted more than to simply heal the exterior, He wanted to restore the man to the community and his family in order to heal/conquer all the damage caused by leprosy.

Jesus restores sight to the blind, life to the dead, hearing to the deaf, health to the Old Testament prophets, and property to His people.

Q. In what ways does Jesus’ desire, purpose, and power to restore extend beyond physical healing, as mentioned in the text? How does this aspect of Jesus’ ministry resonate with us today?

Jesus became the TRUE and PERFECT LEPER, taking SIN upon himself, so that we receive FORGIVENESS, RESTORATION, and can be WITH GOD.

Challenge: Consider areas in your life where you may need internal transformation. It could be a character trait, a mindset, or a spiritual aspect. Over the next week, commit to daily self-reflection and prayer, asking God to work on these internal aspects.