Flesh It Out (10/16/17)

Read Mt. 8:1-13 for context.

Matthew 8:2 says the leper was worshiping Jesus.  The leper's words seem more of a request than a praise.  Did he worship first and then ask Jesus or was the man's request itself a form of worship? 

The centurion follows a similar pattern of request (8:5-6) yet there is no mention of worship.  Both came to Jesus.  Both made a request of Jesus.  The leper is linked to worship.  The centurion isn't.  Why?  What did the leper do that the centurion didn't?

Heart And Hands (Mark 1:41)

Read Mark 1:41.

Jesus didn't just feel on the inside; He touched the man.  When dealing with people, both your heart and your hands need to be engaged.

• It starts with your heart.  Is your heart sensitive to the stirring of the Holy Spirit? 
• Your heart alone isn't enough.  Compassion needs implementation.  Feeling needs follow-through.
• Your hands alone aren't enough.  Implementation without compassion leads to formality, coldness and performance.  People deserve better than that!

Mark 1:40

Read Mark 1:40.

Notice about the leper . . .

• His audacity to get that close to Jesus.  The man was supposed to keep a safe distance.  Jesus doesn't mind when you approach.  He won't push you away. 
• His certainty about Jesus' capability.
• His humility.  He bowed at Jesus' feet and demanded nothing.
• His singularity of request.  He only wanted one thing.  What is the "one thing" you want, should Jesus ask you the same question He asked the leper?

How "Touched" Are You? (Lu. 17:11-19)

Read Luke 17:11-19.

How "touched" are you?  In other words, how deep does your blessing go?

• Touched enough to be relieved. (The man was cleansed.)
• Touched enough to be responsible. (The man came back to worship.)
• Touched enough to be reviled. (Nine of the ten did not return.  It always costs to go against the crowd.)

When Jesus touches you your being, outlook, behavior, and perspective will change.

Matthew 8:2

Read Matthew 8:2.

1.  Cleansing must be asked for; it is not automatic. The leper sought Jesus' presence and worshiped Him, but there was no cleansing until the leper brought up the request to Jesus.

2.  Notice about the request:  the man didn't presume on Jesus' omniscience.  Instead, the man was specific and forthcoming.

3.  Observe how out of place the leper was in the crowd.  A leper (unclean, contagious) didn't belong in the crowd!  A sinner may feel out of place in a religious crowd, but he is never out of place in the presence of Jesus.  Uncomfortable, perhaps, but never unwelcome.

The One Leper (Lu. 17:11-19)

Read Luke 17:11-19.

The one leper (out of the ten) was . . .

• Obedient to the command (v. 14).
• Overwhelmed by the change (vv. 15-16).  This is what prompted his gratitude.  Notice that gratitude is awareness plus expression (verbalization).
• Outdone by the comments (vv. 17-19).  His faith made him well.  Wasn't he healed already? (v. 14). The man's heart was made well, not just his physical health.

Notice four things about this one leper's faith.  His faith was . . .

• Opportunistic (vv. 11-13).
• Obedient (v. 14).
• Overcome (w/ gratitude) (vv. 15-16).  He was sensitive.
• Outstanding (vv. 17-18).  Jesus was impressed!  He commented on the man's faith, even though the dominant subject (in context) was gratitude.

The Most Important Thing (Mk. 1:38, 44-45)

Reminder:  The most important thing is the message, the gospel.  Keep focused on the gospel.  The most important thing is not a prophecy or an interpreted message in tongues or a healing or a miracle (enjoyable as those things are to experience).  That's why Jesus commanded the former leper to be quiet.  Jesus wasn't trying to stifle the man's testimony.  Rather, Jesus didn't want the demands of healing to distract Him from the priority of preaching.