Faith Brings Healing
Matthew 8:1-13
This website and the ideas therein are created by the Author and creator of Creative Journey. by continuing to use this website and the contents therein, you agree to the terms of use that can be found in more detail in our disclaimer page here.
Matthew 8: 1-4
“(1) When he came down from the mountain, great multitudes followed him. (2) And, behold, there came a leper and worshipped him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. (3) And Jesus put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will; be thou clean. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed. (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.”
Leaper Cleansed
The man with leprosy came to Jesus, knowing who He is and what He is capable of doing. He came humbly, worshipping Jesus. Then we see the man ask Jesus if He would make him clean. He’s not asking if Jesus can or not; he is asking if it’s in His will and if He saw fit to heal him. This man’s faith in knowing whom to turn to when he was ill is the same faith that led to his healing.
Jesus has power in the words He speaks, but did you notice Jesus put forth His hand? Here is a few things about leprosy:
“This disease "begins with specks on the eyelids and on the palms, gradually spreading over the body, bleaching the hair white wherever they appear, crusting the affected parts with white scales, and causing terrible sores and swellings. From the skin, the disease eats inward to the bones, rotting the whole body piecemeal." "In Christ's day, no leper could live in a walled town, though he might in an open village. But wherever he was, he was required to have his outer garment rent as a sign of deep grief, to go bareheaded, and to cover his beard with his mantle, as if in lamentation at his own virtual death. He had further to warn passers-by to keep away from him, by calling out, Unclean! unclean!' nor could he speak to anyone, or receive or return a salutation, since in the East this involves an embrace."
Leprosy was "the outward and visible sign of the innermost spiritual corruption; a meet emblem in its small beginnings, its gradual spread, its internal disfigurement, its dissolution little by little of the whole body, of that which corrupts, degrades, and defiles man's inner nature, and renders him unmeet to enter the presence of a pure and holy God" (Maclear's Handbook O.T) (Source https://kingjamesbibledictionary.com/Dictionary/leprosy)
Leprosy was taken very seriously and often would require sacrifices to God for the cleansing of an individual’s leprosy. This was conducted through the priests, and it was a very detailed process of cleansing. You can read further about that in detail in Leviticus chapters 13-15.
Cleansed
“And Jesus put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will; be thou clean. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed.” Matthew 8:3
Jesus healed the man of leprosy immediately. If you read the account in Leviticus chapters 13-15 you have read the very detailed account of what an individual would have to do to be cleansed. This was what God told Moses to record and the actions to take for them. In the next verse, Jesus tells the man to show himself to the priest and offer that which Moses commanded (why?) for a testimony unto them.
Jesus healed the man, and he sent the man away to speak to no man but to go directly to the priests. This was the opportunity to prove Jesus’ healing upon the man’s life. The priests would already have known about the man and his condition, because they would have to be the ones to put him out of the city; they would also be the ones to accept him back into the city by confirming his cleanliness. The process of healing leprosy would include isolation, cleansing, and time. Jesus didn’t need any of that to heal the man. During his ministry, Jesus would tell certain individuals to go back and tell of what Jesus had done for them.
There is no better testimony than what Jesus can do in one's life. Sins are forgiven instantly, although learning a new way to live as a reborn Christian will take time. The things we once thought good have now become a conviction by the Holy Spirit, guiding us on what is right from wrong. We will be constantly learning lessons from God through our everyday lives. The closer we stay near God in fellowship with Him, the more clearly we will understand the spiritual battles we face.
Praising God Boldly
“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.” Mark 1:44
Jesus had plans to continue entering the city, but the man was so excited that he couldn’t contain the news! The leper man had fallen with a sickness that often was an outward appearance of this internal sin affliction. Now that he walked into the city, I’m sure many recognized who he was and noticed that he was clean. I’m sure a crowd began to gather as one or two would begin questioning his experience and how he became clean. They saw evidence of what Jesus did for him, and they became so curious that Jesus couldn’t enter the city for all the excitement.
I’m sure this was not part of Jesus’ plan, but He still had the opportunity to visit with people of that city as they would come out to visit with Him.
Leperd’s Testimony
I couldn’t help but smile when I read what the cleansed man had done; he was so overwhelmed with joy that he had to share the great news of his healing with everyone he encountered. Some may say he was 'On Fire for the Lord.’ The man’s testimony was evident; he was cleansed of his illness that others could see from his physical appearance, but the excitement and joy he felt when he was healed were what his true testimony became; he was healed from the inside out.
Your Testimony
What is your testimony? Everyone has a remarkable story of how Jesus came to heal, forgive, and restore. We should continue to self-examine ourselves and ask God to examine us daily: how are we living our testimony with each conversation, or what we choose to do? We are not called to perfection; we are called to be consistent, staying in the Word of God, worshipping Him with thanksgiving and a grateful heart, and to share with others the love that God has for us, a love they can have also. Is our daily life living testimony without having to tell others evident in our lives?
Jesus walked in and out of society. He didn’t enter into the synagogues to heal or teach; He walked amongst the daily life of where people were. Christian life is a transformation, not a once-a-week church attendance. God is our Heavenly Father; we are His children; we don’t have weekend visitations with Him; we should be walking with Him throughout every moment of each day. He wants to be a part of our silly moments, our small victories, and even the hardest trials and challenges. Walk with God daily.
How Do I Pray?
Praying to God is another phrase for Talking With God. We often want to hide like Adam and Eve did when they sinned, but God still sought them out. He wanted to cover their transgressions, and instead of fig leaves, he clothed them in “coats of skin.” We tend to make a mess of things, letting fear and intimidation get in the way of fellowshipping with God. God knows we are not perfect. He created you and I, therefore, He knows every imperfection about who we are, so nothing we say or confess to Him will surprise Him. God, our Heavenly Father, just wants to have a relationship with us. He wants to show us the beautiful sunsets, the flowers blooming, and the amazing miracles and blessings.
When we talk with God, we should do it in a certain manner as to worship and acknowledge Who He is, repent of our sins, and then continue talking with Him. He doesn’t want a perfect performance; He desires to have our goofy, nonsense thoughts, our confessions of fears or concerns, and so much more. He is the One you don’t have to worry about hiding from. He wants our humble foolish selves.
Before you go, let’s say a prayer together…
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for this day, thank You for preserving the miraculous accounts of healing in Your Word. Every time I open Your Word, I learn something new, something You reveal to me that I didn’t see the last time I read that portion. Hearing about the joyful news of the leper man being healed and wanting to proclaim what You did for him to everyone is the same joy I want to be restored within me. I ask that You continue to lead me in these devotions, help me to know which direction You would have me go, to enhance and reach more people about the goodness, mercy, and Your healing. Forgive me for my shortcomings, may these devotions continue to have your message in them and not of my own, lead, guide, direct my paths that I may go. Thank You for this time we have to study your precious Word. May we take this message of hope and restoration of our testimony to share with others that we may meat, they may have the same healing and to know You as their Lord and Savior. We ask this in Jesus’ holy name, Amen.
Quick Note:
Some Bible studies may take longer than others, as I am often led to explain certain verses in greater detail. I want you to know that these blog posts are written straight from my heart - they are not created by AI, so if you pay close attention, you may find my little nuggets of imperfections! What you read here are my own thoughts and reflections, guided by where God leads me.
I am not a professional; I’m simply a southern wife and mother of five with a deep desire to share the truth of our loving Heavenly Father. He loves you, and He longs to have a relationship with you. We are not called to be perfect, but we are called to be led by Him.
God has placed so much on my heart to share, and my prayer is that these words bless and encourage you. I’m not here for recognition or fame - only to spread the message of God’s love to you, my new friend, and to many others.
