550. MAT 8:1-4. THE LEPER CLEANSED

Mat_8:1-4. The Leper Cleansed

"And when he was come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed him: and, behold, there came a leper and worshipped him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean."’97Mat_8:1-4.

Jesus had just finished his inimitable sermon on the Mount. On his descent, great multitudes followed him. Many of these probably had heard the wonderful words which had flowed from his lips. Among the throng who surrounded the Saviour, we behold one who was a striking spectacle of affliction and misery. He is a leper, and he approaches Christ with venerable awe’97bows before him, and says, "Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean." To this appeal, Jesus immediately responds, having touched him with his hand, "I will, be thou clean." And the sacred narrator assures us, that immediately his leprosy was cleansed, Mat_8:3. Observe,

I. In this leper a striking representation of the sinner. Leprosy is one of the most fearful maladies to which human nature can be incident. But in all its worst features it only faintly points out the true nature of sin’97the moral leprosy of the heart.

1. Leprosy dwells in the corruption and impurity of the blood. So sin in the moral defilement of our nature, by the first transgression. Man’s nature was originally holy and good’97by sin it became contaminated, &c.

2. Leprosy is fearfully contagious. So is sin. It creates an atmosphere of disease and death. One sinner destroyeth much good. The spirit’97the conversation, and the actions of wicked men are all fraught with contagious evil.

3. Leprosy is of a spreading nature. So is sin’97it defileth the whole man. It affects body, soul, and spirit. It leaves no faculty or power unaffected. "From the crown of the head to the sole of the foot." In the natural man there is no soundness, &c.

4. Leprosy is exceedingly painful and loathsome. So is sin. Its fruit is shame, and sorrow, and wretchedness. "The way of transgressors is hard." "What fruit had you in those things," &c. Anxiety, distraction, and horror, are the effects of mail’s naturally diseased state.

5. The leprosy is incurable by human agency. God, under the law, prescribed the remedies for this fearful malady. But it is evident that the restoration can only be effected by the finger of God. Such also is the case with respect to sin. God alone can pardon, and renew, and sanctify the heart.

"In vain we seek for peace with God,

By methods of our own;

Jesus! there’s nothing but thy blood,

Can bring us near thy throne."

6. The leper was excluded from the society of the healthy and pure. Sin excludes from communion with God, and his people. It cast angels out of heaven’97our first parents out of paradise. "For what fellowship hath light with darkness," &c.

7. Uncured, it terminates in death. This is James’ description of sin’97"Sin when it is finished, bringeth forth death." This was the malady of the wretched man who applied to Jesus on this occasion; and sin is the moral disease of human nature. Notice,

II. That Christ is able to cure both the leprosy of the body, and the moral defilement of the soul.

(1.) He possesses all power, both in heaven and on earth.

(2.) He did cure both frequently, in the day of his flesh.

(3.) He came into our world especially to do this.

(4.) He does this by his all-gracious word. He speaks, and it is effected. He sent his word and healed them.

(5.) His precious blood is the fountain for sin and uncleanness. "It cleanseth from all sin." "He is able to save to the uttermost, all that come unto God by him." No case too deep-seated and inveterate’97none too protracted and universal for his skill and efficacy.

III. That application to Christ is necesary, to secure the removal of our maladies.

Hence this leper came to Christ’97worshipped him’97addressed him in earnest supplication, and exercised faith in his ability to restore him. Here is beautifully portrayed the acceptable manner of the sinner’s access to Jesus.

1. He came to Christ. To this, Christ invites the weary and afflicted sinner. "Come unto me," &c., Mat_11:28. He is revealed in the gospel, that we may come to him. He urgeth our return to him, "Come now, and let us reason together," &c.

2. He worshipped Christ. Gave him reverent homage. Called him Lord, &c., Mat_8:2. Such are the feelings we must cherish in drawing near to the Saviour. His Divine nature, and supreme glory and dominion, entitle him to our profoundest reverence, and most sacred veneration and fear. Besides, we are sinners. Creatures of the dust. Unclean, &c.

5. He addressed him in earnest supplication. He felt his misery, and earnestly desired relief. When this feeling is experienced, the soul will long for help, and the prayer will be both contrite, and fervent, and sincere. It is our great privilege to tell our sorrows’97confess our sins, and seek the gracious help of Jesus.

4. He exercised faith in his ability to heal him. "If thou wilt, thou canst make me clean," Mat_8:2. Our faith must rest on Christ’s all-sufficient power. That he has power on earth to forgive sins. We can do more,’97we can rest on his own assurance, that he is as willing as he is able. That he wants to save’97desires to save, and will in no case cast out the applicant who comes in faith, and seeks his mercy.

IV. That believing application will assuredly be effectual. Hence in this case, the Saviour touched the poor leper, and pronounced him clean. And at once the leprosy was cleansed, Mat_8:3. This is the unvarying experience of every penitent believer that ever came to Christ. Faith in Christ, in every instance, secures the desired help, and obtains the longed-for salvation. Not one ever came and believed in vain. The word, the oath, and hence also the glory of God are concerned in the saving of the humble, trusting soul, that pleads for mercy. Jesus directed the recovered leper to "go to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded for a testimony unto them." By this the priest would see the miracle which had been performed. By this his cure would be officially ratified. In this way he was gratefully to honor God. Let the restored sinner go and tell the congregation the great things the Lord hath done for his soul. Unite himself in fellowship with God’s people; and cherish a grateful sense of the Lord’s goodness and mercy to his soul. Forget it not, that Christ alone cleanses from the defilement of sin; and that faith is essential to the enjoyment of his saving favor.

Autor: JABEZ BURNS