40 Now a leper came to Him, imploring Him, kneeling down to Him and saying to Him, “If You are willing, You can make me clean.”41 Then Jesus, moved with compassion, stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, “I am willing; be cleansed.” 42 As soon as He had spoken, immediately the leprosy left him, and he was cleansed. 43 And He strictly warned him and sent him away at once, 44 and said to him, “See that you say nothing to anyone; but go your way, show yourself to the priest, and offer for your cleansing those things which Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.” 45 However, he went out and began to proclaim it freely, and to spread the matter, so that Jesus could no longer openly enter the city, but was outside in deserted places; and they came to Him from every direction.
Mark 1:40-45
Q & A：
- What is leprosy and how is a person with leprosy expected to live in the community? The leper had confidence of trusting in Jesus to heal him and humbled himself in kneeling down to Jesus, are there areas in your life that you would need a personal rescue from our Almighty God and what should be your attitude? (Lev 13:45-46; Mark 1:40)
- What does Jesus’ action of touching the leper to heal him show you about Jesus’ compassion, especially when a person with leprosy is considered “unclean” by the society? How should we show compassion to those grieving in a practical way? (Mark 1:41-42; Rom 12:15; Ps 94:18; Ps 147:3)
- Why do you think Jesus asked the leper not to say anything to anyone after he was healed miraculously? Knowing that Jesus was not concerned about His fame, but wanted all the great works done through Him to be testimonies for God, how may this change your perspective on who gets the credit for the different achievements around you? (Mark 1:43-45; Matt 11:5)