SUBJ: The healing of the leper as a picture of our lost condition and wherein we learn of submission, confidence and restoration as he approaches our Lord with absolute deference to His will.

AIM: That we might be reminded of our state before grace and moved upon to seek the Lord in all things after the pattern shown here.

INTR: This story is well known and is most tender as we contemplate the miracles of our Lord, but in particular as we note the tenderness and compassion with which he dealt with this man.
1. The story is there for our instruction and our inspiration and our encouragement as we are directed to come to Him in the most impossible circumstances.
2. While we may not apply “rules” to our Savior, we may apply the manner of both the Lord and those seeking Him in any instance. (We note some coming to Him and Him coming to others). Notably, Bartimaeus and the lame man at Bethesday
3. The case of the leper instructs us both as to a view of the way of salvation applied both initially and in a continuing view of ourselves as healed – “by His stripes we are healed.”

THESIS: All of God’s dealings with us are in mercy and are in accordance with His will. But, as soon as there is an acknowledgment of these things we find a favorable response in Him. He delights to show mercy. Psalms 147:11 The LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy.

I. Coming to Christ (v. 40)
1. With a sense of need and the nature of his illness – the uncleanness within and without – this man is nameless but known to all Bible students.
1) Clearly an impossible situation in the mind of the leper
2) He well knew the implications and had suffered the circumstance and
3) We should try to picture a circumstance where all are lepers and accepting of that way of life.
4) Clearly a picture of the nature of sin in us
2. With an understanding of who He is
1) Worship – the leper knelt
2) Concession – I know you don’t have to
3. Confidence in His ability – “thou canst”
4. If there is a sense of personal need, there is a sense of personal confidence – “thou canst do it for me!”

II. Expectations from Christ ((vv. 41-42)
1. Compassion and the ability of Christ to be so moved – He is God and we the sinners
2. The touch of Christ:
1) His identity with us and ceremonial uncleanness
2) The act of identity that is so essential (Elijah, Elisha, the woman with the issue of blood and the virtue gone out of Him…)
3) Our High Priest: Hebrews 4:15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
4) He knew our condition more than did we and it is essential that we see our need in coming as opposed to the submission to peer pressure or any other factor.
3. His will and the meaning to us of “I will.” With Christ it is more than I hope or desire. James 1:18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
4. At His word – the salvation is complete and thorough and applies to sin as well as leprosy.
5. What of our expectations – we tend to think small as to what the Lord can do and what we would have Him do.

III. Directions from Christ (vv. 43-44)
1. The charge of the Lord here was stern
1) In that sin was the cause – Some instances are Miriam, Gehazi and Uzziah
2) Matthew Henry thought this was a warning about further sin
2. Do not report to any man but rather
1) Show thyself to the Priest for a confirmation and a witness to him
2) That the Gospel testimony might be properly set forth
3. Because of the disruption that would come because of crowds (note the aversion of Christ to crowds and the efforts of men to gather them).

IV. Reaction to the work of Christ (v. 45)
1. He published it anyway – what do we make of it?
1) It was humility in Christ that wanted to avoid sensationalism
2) He would defer to the Father in all things
3) There were no recriminations forthcoming
2. In any event the man could not contain, and the Lord went out into desert places so that they would have to come to Him.