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Leprosy in the Bible

The Miracles of Jesus Lesson 7: Cleansing of the Lepers Matthew 8:2-4; Mark 1:40-45; Luke 5:12-16; 17:11-19. Leprosy in the Bible.

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Leprosy in the Bible

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  1. The Miracles of JesusLesson 7: Cleansing of the LepersMatthew 8:2-4; Mark 1:40-45; Luke 5:12-16; 17:11-19

  2. Leprosy in the Bible • Biblical leprosy was a serious skin disease, diagnosed by a priest. Symptoms included swelling, a scaly rash often reddish white, or an unusual bright spot (Leviticus 13:24-28). • Biblical leprosy was considered highly infectious; this indicates that it was different from what is diagnosed as leprosy today.(Gilbert Lewis, “A Lesson from Leviticus: Leprosy.” Man (1987). 10/9/07, p. 593 f.)  • Unlike leprosy in the Bible, modern leprosy, also known as Hansen's disease, has a low chance of transmission. • It is possible that the symptoms described in the Bible were caused by more than one pathogen.

  3. Leprosy in the Bible • Lepers lived in isolation as social outcasts. • Leviticus 13:45-46, “Now the leper on whom the sore is, his clothes shall be torn and his head bare; and he shall cover his mustache, and cry,'Unclean! Unclean!' He shall be unclean. All the days he has the sore he shall be unclean. He is unclean, and he shall dwell alone; his dwelling shall be outside the camp.” • Even Miriam was shut outside the camp for 7 days (Numbers 12:9-15) • On the rare occasion when a leper was healed, it was required that the priest examine him and that the proper rituals and offerings be observed (Leviticus 14:1-32)

  4. Leprosy in the Bible • God struck King Uzziah with leprosy • “The king was a leper unto the day of his death, and dwelt in a house set apart, being a leper; for he was cut off from the house of the Lord.” (2 Chron. 26:19-21)  In 1931 the Uzziah Tablet was discovered in Jerusalem by Professor E.L. Sukenik of the Hebrew University. The inscription on the tablet is translated, "Hither were brought the bones of Uzziah, king of Judah. Do not open."

  5. Healings of Leprosy • Jesus did not come to heal all lepers. The Lord uses His miraculous power for His purposes (Luke 4:26-27; cf. John 11:4) • As ambassadors of the kingdom, the apostles were also given power to heal lepers (Matthew 10:8; Hebrews 2:3-4)

  6. Details of Jesus Healing a LeperMatthew 8:2-4; Mark 1:40-45; Luke 5:12-16 • A man came to Jesus who was “full of leprosy” (Luke 5:12) • He worshiped Jesus, kneeling and falling on his face before Him. • The leper implored Jesus saying, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.” • Observe the leper’s faith and confidence in Jesus’ power. His only uncertainty was Jesus’ will. • Jesus… • Was moved with compassion • Stretched out His hand and touched him • Said to him, “I am willing; be cleansed.”

  7. Details of Jesus Healing a LeperMatthew 8:2-4; Mark 1:40-45; Luke 5:12-16 • The leprosy left the man immediately (Mark 1:42) • Jesus instructed him to show himself to the priest. • This was to be done “as a testimony to them.” (Luke 5:14; Mark 1:44). The priest would have to confirm the miracle and consider its significance! • The leper was told to “say nothing to anyone,” however he proclaimed the matter freely. • Jesus’ instructions may reflect his desire that preaching and not miracles be the focus of His work(Mark 1:38) • Consequently, Jesus could not enter into the city because of the multitudes that wanted healing. • He sought deserted places, but even there multitudes came to be healed. Jesus sought solitude to pray.

  8. Details of Jesus Healing Ten LepersLuke 17:11-19 • As Jesus traveled to Jerusalem through central Galilee & Samaria, He encountered ten lepers. • They stood afar off. • They cried, "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!" • Jesus told them to go and show themselves to the priests. “As they went, they were cleansed” • Only one of them returned and glorified God. • He fell down at Jesus’ feet and gave Him thanks. • He was a Samaritan. Only the foreigner returned to give glory to God! • Jesus said to him, “Go your way. Your faith has made you well.”

  9. Lessons for us… • Jesus has compassion on suffering humans. • Jesus loves those whom the world sees as outcasts. • Jesus has the power to cleanse dreadful, incurable diseases, including our sinful infirmities. (1 Corinthians 6:9-11) • We must go to Him in faith, obey Him, and be thankful to Him. • Miracles are powerful testimony to the identity of Christ as God’s son. • Even the priests could see this! (And some of them were Jesus’ most vicious enemies, Mt. 16:21; 20:18)

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