The Leper Cleansed
J. Harding, M. A. Luke 5:12-15 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 sought him… I. LEPROSY AFFORDS A STRIKING REPRESENTATION OF THE CHARACTER AND CONSEQUENCE OF SIN. 1. This spiritual leprosy has rendered all our race unclean in the sight of God and in the judgment of His holy law. (1) It shuts us out from His presence, (2) and from a place among His people. 2. No skill or power of man can cure this disease. 3. This malady, if not healed, will issue in death. And remember, death is not cessation of being, but a state of awful terror, pain, and wretchedness. This is the issue to which sin is bringing its victims. 4. Yet, thank God, our case is not altogether hopeless; there is a cure. II. OBSERVE THE STEPS TAKEN BY THIS LEPER TO OBTAIN A CURE. Thus we may learn what the disposition is, in which we should endeavour to approach the Saviour, who alone can heal our spiritual leprosy. 1. The first thing I would notice in this leper's conduct is the eagerness and haste with which he ran to Jesus immediately he met Him. 2. His reverential selfabasement. His eagerness in seeking relief did not cause him to forget what was due to the character of Him from whom that relief was sought. 3. The confidence he entertained of Christ's power. Have not we far stronger grounds for this than he had? (J. Harding, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: 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. WEB: It happened, while he was in one of the cities, behold, there was a man full of leprosy. When he saw Jesus, he fell on his face, and begged him, saying, "Lord, if you want to, you can make me clean."