Topical Bible: Prayer: Answered: The Leper, for Healing

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Topical Encyclopedia

In the New Testament, the account of Jesus healing a leper is a profound example of answered prayer and divine compassion. This event is recorded in the Synoptic Gospels, with a notable account in the Gospel of Matthew. The narrative highlights the faith of the leper, the power of Jesus, and the immediacy of divine response to sincere supplication.

Biblical Account

The account is found in Matthew 8:1-4 :

> "When Jesus came down from the mountain, large crowds followed Him. Suddenly a leper came and knelt before Him, saying, 'Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.' Jesus reached out His hand and touched the man. 'I am willing,' He said, 'be clean.' And immediately his leprosy was cleansed. Then Jesus said to him, 'See that you don’t tell anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the gift prescribed by Moses, as a testimony to them.'"

Context and Significance

Leprosy in biblical times was a dreaded disease, often seen as a symbol of sin and impurity. Lepers were ostracized from society, living in isolation due to the contagious nature of their condition. The leper's approach to Jesus was an act of bold faith, breaking social norms and risking further rejection. His prayer, "Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean," reflects a deep trust in Jesus' authority and compassion.

Jesus' Response

Jesus' response to the leper is both compassionate and powerful. By reaching out and touching the leper, Jesus defied societal taboos and demonstrated His willingness to engage with the marginalized and unclean. His words, "I am willing, be clean," underscore His divine authority and readiness to heal those who come to Him in faith. The immediate healing of the leper signifies the power of Jesus' word and the efficacy of prayer when aligned with God's will.

Theological Implications

This account illustrates several key theological themes:

1. Faith and Humility: The leper's approach to Jesus is marked by humility and faith. He acknowledges Jesus' lordship and submits to His will, exemplifying the attitude believers are encouraged to adopt in prayer.

2. Divine Compassion: Jesus' willingness to heal the leper highlights His compassion and readiness to respond to human suffering. It reflects the heart of God, who is attentive to the cries of those in need.

3. Authority of Christ: The healing demonstrates Jesus' authority over physical ailments and His power to restore. It serves as a testament to His divine nature and the kingdom of God breaking into the world.

4. Obedience to the Law: Jesus instructs the healed leper to show himself to the priest and offer the prescribed gift, emphasizing the importance of obedience to the Mosaic Law and the testimony of God's work to the religious authorities.

Practical Application

For believers, the healing of the leper serves as an encouragement to approach God with faith and humility in prayer. It reassures that God is both willing and able to respond to the needs of His people. The narrative invites Christians to trust in God's timing and sovereignty, knowing that He hears and answers prayers according to His perfect will.

Nave's Topical Index

Matthew 8:2,3
And, behold, there came a leper and worshipped him, saying, Lord, if you will, you can make me clean.
Nave's Topical Index

Mark 1:40-43
And there came a leper to him, beseeching him, and kneeling down to him, and saying to him, If you will, you can make me clean.
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Luke 5:12,13
And it came to pass, when he was in a certain city, behold a man full of leprosy: who seeing Jesus fell on his face, and sought him, saying, Lord, if you will, you can make me clean.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Second Journey through Galilee - the Healing of the Leper.
... but the ground-tone of all prayer - faith in ... we can understand how, as He afterwards
answered those, whom ... Jerusalem as His embassy the healed leper, to submit ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xv second journey through.htm

Prayer and Trust
... "Then Jesus answered and said ... was seriously ill, and who had come to Jesus with the
prayer that He ... When the poor leper fell at the feet of Jesus and cried out ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/bounds/the necessity of prayer/iii prayer and trust.htm

Prayer and Faith
... Thus the leper lay hold upon the power of Christ. ... But before that prayer could
be answered, there was much to be done with, and for Jacob. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bounds/the necessity of prayer/i prayer and faith.htm

The Omnipotence of Faith
... At any rate, the leper's 'if' has answered itself for him. ... I pray in faith, and I
know that I shall be answered.' Such a prayer goes beyond the record. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture d/the omnipotence of faith.htm

The Healing of the Man Born Blind.
... Nay, as if he were a leper, people would keep ... the Rabbis, [4165] than that answers
to prayer depended on ... than He had ever before used, Jesus answered, and with ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter ix the healing of.htm

The Touch that Cleanses
... they do not venture to take the form of prayer. ... The leper had almost forgotten what
the touch of a ... It answered the 'if' by something that spoke louder than any ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/the touch that cleanses.htm

The Little Flowers of St. Francis of Assisi
... AFTER HIM; AND HOW ST FRANCIS ANSWERED THAT IT ... HOW BROTHER BENTIVOGLIO CARRIED A
LEPER FIFTEEN MILES IN A ... XLVI HOW BROTHER PACIFICO, BEING IN PRAYER, SAW THE ...
//christianbookshelf.org/ugolino/the little flowers of st francis of assisi/

The Life of Jesus Christ in Its Historical Connexion
... from the subsequent Dispositions of Christ's Relatives, answered (1) from ... Encouragements
to Prayer; God gives ... Healing of the Leper on the Road to Capernaum. ...
/.../neander/the life of jesus christ in its historical connexion/

B. The Second Period. Chs. 5:1 to 6:11
... your nets for a draught.5 And Simon answered and said ... The leper was an outcast; he
was compelled to live ... power was left alone seeking help from God in prayer. ...
/.../erdman/the gospel of luke an exposition/b the second period chs.htm

Off Duty
... 'Yes,' he answered warmly, 'after ... can restore, and will never turn His ear from a
prayer fashioned like ... knew His touch would give healing to the leper, and not ...
/.../carpenter/the angel adjutant of twice born men/xiv off duty.htm