In Old Testament times, lepers weren’t just considered to be sick with a skin disease. No, they were ceremonially unclean, unfit to associate with anyone else in society. In fact, they were supposed to live “outside the camp” (Leviticus 13:46), and anyone who touched them became just as unclean as they were.

But that’s what made Jesus’ reaction to this leper so amazing. For instead of being revolted at the man’s uncleanness, Jesus was moved with compassion. And even though Jesus could have healed the man at a distance, with only a word, Jesus insisted on drawing close to him. Jesus even did the unthinkable: he touched the leper. And at His touch, the leper was made clean.

And this is the same thing that Jesus has done for all who share the faith of the leper, all who acknowledge our sin but insist that He is able to wash us clean and make us whole. For Jesus didn’t stay up in Heaven, safely separated from the uncleanness of our rebellion. No, because of His great compassion for us, Jesus came into our sin-sick world. And on the cross, He took all our sin, all our uncleanness upon Himself. As Paul says, the Lord “made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him” (II Corinthians 5:21).

So, how should we respond to such amazing grace? Well, the leper disobeyed Jesus. He told everyone about his miraculous healing, and as a result Jesus’ subsequent ministry became much more difficult. In the same way, if we presume upon God’s grace, hypocritically continuing to live in sin even after we have been forgiven, we run the risk of driving others away from Christ, the only One Who can forgive them and set them free.

Instead, why not do what Jesus did? Why not take the initiative to reach out to those who have been broken by their sin, or the sin of others? Why not allow our words and our works to be a testimony to Jesus’ cleansing power? For we can be sure that He is willing and able to help all those who come to Him in humble faith.

Mark 1:40-45 (NASB)

40 And a leper came to Him, beseeching Him and falling on his knees before Him, and saying to Him, “If You are willing, You can make me clean.”
41 And moved with compassion, He stretched out His hand, and touched him, and said to him, “I am willing; be cleansed.”
42 And immediately the leprosy left him and he was cleansed.
43 And He sternly warned him and immediately sent him away,
44 and He said to him, “See that you say nothing to anyone; but go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses commanded, for a testimony to them.”
45 But he went out and began to proclaim it freely and to spread the news about, to such an extent that Jesus could no longer publicly enter a city, but stayed out in unpopulated areas; and they were coming to Him from everywhere.