There are so many lessons in Scripture that inspire me with hope and a sense of well-being. Every human being needs hope to face each day, because life can leave us feeling vulnerable or even defeated. Hope motivates our faith helping us look forward to a better future beyond adversity. When we are feeling weak, hope brings us strength. When we desperately need change in our lives, hope is there to lead us toward healing as we trust in God. Jesus is our HOPE! “And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love” (Ro 5:5).
In our passage today from Luke, a leper comes and bows before Jesus. Now, as a doctor, Luke frequently writes about the illnesses people face and the miracles Jesus performs to heal them. Our passage is very clear; Luke tells us this man has an “advanced case of leprosy.” In other words, this contagious progressive bacterial skin infection had severely damaged his nerve endings and this man’s face and body had become very disfigured. More than likely, his identity unrecognizable. With the assurance of hope to receive from the Lord, this man bows before Jesus—the One who knows his heart—and proclaims Christ’s power to heal. We, too, must remember no challenge we face is too advanced for the healing hand of Almighty God.
When we face certain kinds of adversity—long-term challenges that have tested our faith—we must hold onto hope. Due to the advance nature of our challenges, we may be tempted to feel like the Lord is not going to answer our prayers. Certainly, God’s perspective can be very different than ours. Yet, Jesus is all about taking what is unhealthy by bringing a healing that makes one whole, holy, and dedicated to God. This brings glory to God. Therefore, our Lord is always “willing” to be the healing we need. His methods many times remain a mystery and certainly the Lord’s timing is very different than ours, but according to the New Covenant, grace is generously given to those who call upon the name of the Lord for salvation (Ro 10:10-13).
Luke 5:12-16 NLT Jesus Heals a Man with Leprosy
12 In one of the villages, Jesus met a man with an advanced case of leprosy. When the man saw Jesus, he bowed with his face to the ground, begging to be healed. “Lord,” he said, “if you are willing, you can heal me and make me clean.”
13 Jesus reached out and touched him. “I am willing,” he said. “Be healed!” And instantly the leprosy disappeared. 14 Then Jesus instructed him not to tell anyone what had happened. He said, “Go to the priest and let him examine you. Take along the offering required in the law of Moses for those who have been healed of leprosy. This will be a public testimony that you have been cleansed.”
15 But despite Jesus’ instructions, the report of his power spread even faster, and vast crowds came to hear him preach and to be healed of their diseases. 16 But Jesus often withdrew to the wilderness for prayer.
Prayer: Lord, we are so grateful for this lesson today, because it fills us with hope that you understand the adversity that comes to every human being. This man with leprosy needed healing and you were willing to make him whole. You healed him physically, spiritually, and emotionally, Lord, so he could return to the Temple as your worshiper. We all need some kind of healing and again, we thank you for being willing to heal us and make us whole as your worshipers. In Jesus’ name. Amen.