Jesus had just completed a long and busy Sabbath day in Capernaum, healing many sick folks late into the night. On the next day, Jesus arose while it was still dark, to go to a desolate place to be alone with His Father. This is remarkable, seeing how busy and in demand Jesus was. And yet, He would not allow the pressures of ministry to keep him from spending time alone with His Heavenly Father in prayer. He treasured and prioritized this time. It was essential for Him, not only to maintain intimacy with His Father, whom He loved, but also to ask for guidance, protection, and blessing on His ministry. The natural question for us is this: If the sinless Son of God needed to spend time alone with His Father in prayer, how much more do we need to? And if we are convinced that we need to, are we prioritizing it above all other responsibilities? This of course will require us to make sacrifices, as it did for Jesus.
By morning time, another large crowd had gathered, probably at Peter’s house, looking for the miracle-healer. Peter and the other disciples went on a search party to find Jesus. Once they found Him, they told Him that He must come at once because “everyone” was looking for Him. His reply was: “Let us go on to the next towns, that I may preach there also, for that is why I came out” (Mark 1:38). Jesus came not to be a miracle-worker, but to preach the good news of the gospel and to give His life as a ransom for many. Miracles were simply to prove His identity as the Messiah and to support His gospel message. This shows us that we must keep the gospel central in all of our ministries.
As He was going to different towns in Galilee preaching the gospel, a leper came to him, kneeling before Him and imploring Him to make him clean. According to the law of Moses, he was ceremonially unclean and had to live in isolation. Anyone who came in contact with him would not only become unclean, but risk the chance of catching the infectious disease. Seeing him, Jesus was moved with compassion, and He did something amazing: “he stretched out his hand and touched him and said to him, “I will; be clean.” And immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean.”
As you read this passage, consider the following questions:
- How does leprosy resemble sin?
- How does Jesus touching the leper and making him clean compare to imputation of sin and righteousness?
- How does this man’s complete healing, cleansing, and restoration remind you of what happens to sinners when they come to Christ?
- What does this teach us about the heart of Christ for the outcast and defiled?
May the Lord help us to see more of the glory of our Savior this coming Sunday.