WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:00.980 Good morning, church. 00:00:03.280 --> 00:00:06.020 The past several weeks we've been going through the Gospel of Mark, 00:00:06.320 --> 00:00:09.859 and today we've come to a short account of Jesus healing a man 00:00:09.859 --> 00:00:11.939 with a terrible disease called leprosy. 00:00:12.500 --> 00:00:17.420 It can be found in Mark chapter 1, verses 40 through 45, 00:00:17.859 --> 00:00:20.379 on page 786 of your Pew Bible. 00:00:21.559 --> 00:00:23.800 In the sermon this morning, we're going to go through this account 00:00:23.800 --> 00:00:27.500 verse by verse, examining the leper's life, his background, 00:00:27.500 --> 00:00:31.859 his condition, and as much of his circumstances as we can figure out. 00:00:32.679 --> 00:00:36.340 All these things will help us to see how Jesus lovingly ministers 00:00:36.340 --> 00:00:37.920 to this man with leprosy. 00:00:38.880 --> 00:00:43.259 And then through Jesus' great love, we will also see how God ministers 00:00:43.259 --> 00:00:47.079 to us and how he wants us to minister to others. 00:00:48.039 --> 00:00:49.480 So let's turn to our passage. 00:00:49.740 --> 00:00:51.340 We're in Mark chapter 1, verse 40. 00:00:52.280 --> 00:00:55.939 Mark has just told us that Jesus has been preaching in the synagogues 00:00:55.939 --> 00:00:59.539 of Galilee, announcing the Gospel, the good news of the Kingdom of God, 00:00:59.879 --> 00:01:01.839 and calling people to repent. 00:01:02.960 --> 00:01:05.159 And then verse 40 reads like this. 00:01:07.319 --> 00:01:12.959 And a leper came to him, imploring him and kneeling, said to him, 00:01:13.640 --> 00:01:16.239 if you will, you can make me clean. 00:01:19.120 --> 00:01:21.819 Our account begins with Jesus somewhere in Galilee, 00:01:21.939 --> 00:01:24.219 and a leper, a man with a disease called leprosy, 00:01:24.219 --> 00:01:26.299 he comes to Jesus and he implores him. 00:01:27.120 --> 00:01:30.659 And he kneels down and he says, if you will, you can make me clean. 00:01:32.019 --> 00:01:36.680 Now, though we have only been barely introduced to this man, 00:01:37.120 --> 00:01:41.819 we can actually figure out a lot about this man's life and background. 00:01:42.439 --> 00:01:45.719 And if we spend a little time getting to know this man and his circumstances, 00:01:45.719 --> 00:01:50.859 we will better understand the amazing thing that Jesus will do next. 00:01:50.859 --> 00:01:54.200 So let's start with the basics. 00:01:54.959 --> 00:01:58.019 Mark has told us that this man was a leper. 00:01:58.539 --> 00:02:01.840 This means he had the deadly skin disease called leprosy. 00:02:02.819 --> 00:02:07.120 Leprosy, as many of you know, causes sores and bumps all over a leper's body. 00:02:07.659 --> 00:02:11.520 And these can progress step by step, sometimes for many years. 00:02:12.139 --> 00:02:14.879 Lepers often slowly lose feeling in their arms and legs. 00:02:15.759 --> 00:02:17.219 They experience muscle weakness. 00:02:17.219 --> 00:02:22.280 Leprosy can lead to great disfigurement, especially of the face. 00:02:22.840 --> 00:02:25.520 It can cause blindness, loss of hands and feet. 00:02:26.280 --> 00:02:28.520 And eventually, it can cause death. 00:02:29.340 --> 00:02:31.199 And in the ancient world, lepers were everywhere. 00:02:31.860 --> 00:02:33.900 This is why leprosy is mentioned throughout the Bible. 00:02:34.539 --> 00:02:36.919 And not only was leprosy present in the ancient world, 00:02:37.000 --> 00:02:39.819 until recently it was present throughout much of the modern world. 00:02:40.240 --> 00:02:41.939 In fact, it still exists here and there. 00:02:41.939 --> 00:02:47.259 But perhaps what made leprosy even worse was that it was contagious. 00:02:47.960 --> 00:02:51.280 You could catch it from someone else who had leprosy. 00:02:52.800 --> 00:02:55.939 In our day, we can treat leprosy, but in the ancient world, it was untreatable. 00:02:56.780 --> 00:03:01.400 And the fact that leprosy was contagious meant that the best way to avoid getting leprosy 00:03:01.400 --> 00:03:03.800 was to avoid contact with lepers. 00:03:03.800 --> 00:03:08.300 And so in the ancient world, this combination of carrying a deadly disease 00:03:08.300 --> 00:03:10.320 and carrying a deadly disease that was contagious 00:03:10.320 --> 00:03:15.640 and carrying a deadly, contagious disease that could horribly disfigure a person, 00:03:16.020 --> 00:03:19.140 all this meant that lepers were outcasts and exiles. 00:03:19.760 --> 00:03:23.200 People did not want to be around them because they were so difficult to look at 00:03:23.200 --> 00:03:27.140 and because people worried about contracting a fatal disease. 00:03:27.139 --> 00:03:31.379 So if we put all this together, we can understand a little bit about this man 00:03:31.379 --> 00:03:35.399 who has come to Jesus, and we can imagine how he's been suffering physically, 00:03:35.959 --> 00:03:39.559 and we can guess how he's been treated by others. 00:03:41.000 --> 00:03:43.799 Now, this is all the Gospel of Mark tells us about this man, 00:03:44.359 --> 00:03:48.099 but we can learn a little more about him by looking at the Gospel of Luke. 00:03:48.879 --> 00:03:54.279 Luke, chapter 5, verse 12, records the same account of Jesus and this man with leprosy, 00:03:54.379 --> 00:03:55.839 but Luke adds a detail. 00:03:55.840 --> 00:04:00.120 He says that the man did not just have leprosy, but that he was, quote, 00:04:00.560 --> 00:04:02.340 full of leprosy. 00:04:03.640 --> 00:04:06.520 This means that the man was covered with leprosy. 00:04:07.080 --> 00:04:11.920 It means that he had probably been suffering from leprosy for a long time. 00:04:12.039 --> 00:04:13.620 He probably had it for many years. 00:04:14.000 --> 00:04:18.019 It means that he was perhaps greatly disfigured in his hands and face. 00:04:18.680 --> 00:04:21.340 It means he may have been near death. 00:04:21.339 --> 00:04:28.139 And this man comes to Jesus, and he kneels before him, and he implores him for mercy. 00:04:29.719 --> 00:04:31.919 What will our Lord Jesus do? 00:04:32.879 --> 00:04:35.719 Will he heal this poor man who has suffered so much? 00:04:37.120 --> 00:04:40.120 Will he heal this man who is imploring him for mercy? 00:04:40.120 --> 00:04:45.360 This is a famous story, and some of you know what Jesus is going to do. 00:04:46.040 --> 00:04:49.079 But before we go on to the next verse, I just want to pause, 00:04:49.540 --> 00:04:53.480 because I think that we can tell even more about this man, 00:04:53.939 --> 00:04:57.019 and thereby appreciate Jesus even more, too. 00:04:57.019 --> 00:05:01.419 One of the wonderful things about the Bible is that one passage in Scripture 00:05:01.419 --> 00:05:03.939 often has much to do with another passage in Scripture. 00:05:04.419 --> 00:05:07.299 And it turns out that much of how Jesus will interact with this man 00:05:07.299 --> 00:05:11.019 in the Gospel of Mark is informed by the rules and regulations 00:05:11.019 --> 00:05:14.359 concerning leprosy that are given in the book of Leviticus. 00:05:15.879 --> 00:05:19.779 And so, to fully understand what Jesus is about to do for this man, 00:05:19.879 --> 00:05:22.439 we need to fully understand the account in Leviticus, 00:05:22.959 --> 00:05:25.240 which tells of how to treat someone with leprosy. 00:05:25.240 --> 00:05:29.300 This passage in the book of Leviticus is part of the Mosaic Law. 00:05:29.439 --> 00:05:33.639 This is the law that was given by God to Moses more than 1,000 years before Jesus. 00:05:34.259 --> 00:05:38.500 And it describes what to do with someone who's suspected of having leprosy. 00:05:39.540 --> 00:05:42.340 This account can be found in Leviticus chapter 13, 00:05:42.980 --> 00:05:45.620 and I believe on page 84 of your pew Bibles. 00:05:46.199 --> 00:05:49.939 And though this is a long passage, we're only going to read a handful of verses. 00:05:50.720 --> 00:05:54.360 And while we're turning to Leviticus, let's join together in prayer. 00:05:55.240 --> 00:05:58.660 And ask God to guide us as we read his word and seek to understand. 00:05:59.720 --> 00:06:00.540 Join with me. 00:06:03.439 --> 00:06:06.920 We thank you, Father, maker of heaven and earth, 00:06:07.400 --> 00:06:09.519 that though you spun the stars into existence, 00:06:09.519 --> 00:06:11.900 you saw fit to give us your word in a book 00:06:11.900 --> 00:06:14.319 that we may hold in our hands, 00:06:14.699 --> 00:06:17.300 from which we can learn so much of you. 00:06:17.300 --> 00:06:24.199 This morning we are reading about how your son Jesus interacted with a man suffering from leprosy. 00:06:24.680 --> 00:06:27.319 And we ask that you would illuminate us through your word. 00:06:27.480 --> 00:06:28.639 Guide us as we read. 00:06:28.780 --> 00:06:31.620 Give us understanding about what Moses wrote of leprosy 00:06:31.620 --> 00:06:35.280 and about how your son Jesus ministered to a man with leprosy 00:06:35.280 --> 00:06:38.759 and about what this means for us and for our church. 00:06:38.759 --> 00:06:41.860 In all of this, Lord, convict us where we fall short. 00:06:42.000 --> 00:06:43.579 Restore us where we have repented. 00:06:44.459 --> 00:06:46.639 Help us to know your care and love for us 00:06:46.639 --> 00:06:50.039 and help us to have that same care and love for others. 00:06:51.519 --> 00:06:51.920 Amen. 00:06:53.319 --> 00:06:55.620 All right, let's turn to Leviticus chapter 13. 00:06:56.120 --> 00:06:57.579 As I said, we're reading this passage 00:06:57.579 --> 00:07:01.699 because it will tell us much about how Jesus interacted with this man who had leprosy. 00:07:01.699 --> 00:07:06.060 And this passage in Leviticus is part of the laws that were given to Moses by God 00:07:06.060 --> 00:07:08.099 more than a thousand years before Jesus. 00:07:09.019 --> 00:07:15.219 And this is one of those passages that at first might seem like a long list of irrelevant rules. 00:07:15.939 --> 00:07:20.159 But don't be intimidated by chapters like these in your Bible. 00:07:20.360 --> 00:07:23.180 God inspired every word and every letter of Scripture 00:07:23.180 --> 00:07:26.699 and he put every passage in the Bible for a reason. 00:07:27.339 --> 00:07:30.719 And with this passage, though it might appear at first like a long list 00:07:30.720 --> 00:07:35.440 of hard-to-understand rules, there's something wonderful going on in it, 00:07:35.720 --> 00:07:37.540 something which lies hidden at first. 00:07:38.060 --> 00:07:41.340 And not only that, there are things in there that will help us to appreciate 00:07:41.340 --> 00:07:45.940 even more what Jesus is about to do with the man who has leprosy. 00:07:46.540 --> 00:07:47.500 So here we go. 00:07:47.600 --> 00:07:49.180 Chapter 13, verse 1. 00:07:50.040 --> 00:07:53.100 The Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying, 00:07:53.280 --> 00:07:57.460 When a person has on the skin of his body a swelling or an eruption or a spot, 00:07:57.459 --> 00:08:01.319 and it turns into a case of leprous disease on the skin of his body, 00:08:01.879 --> 00:08:05.479 then he shall be brought to Aaron the priest or to one of his sons the priest, 00:08:05.979 --> 00:08:09.239 and the priest shall examine the diseased area on the skin of his body. 00:08:09.620 --> 00:08:12.319 And if the hair in the diseased area has turned white 00:08:12.319 --> 00:08:15.159 and the disease appears to be deeper than the skin of his body, 00:08:15.339 --> 00:08:17.399 it is a case of leprous disease. 00:08:18.339 --> 00:08:22.319 When the priest has examined him, he shall pronounce him unclean. 00:08:22.319 --> 00:08:27.459 But if the spot is white on the skin of his body and appears no deeper than the skin, 00:08:28.099 --> 00:08:29.879 and the hair in it has not turned white, 00:08:30.279 --> 00:08:33.399 the priest shall shut up the diseased person for seven days, 00:08:34.059 --> 00:08:36.879 and the priest shall examine him on the seventh day. 00:08:37.759 --> 00:08:42.379 And if in his eyes the disease is checked and the disease has not spread in the skin, 00:08:43.039 --> 00:08:45.779 then the priest shall shut him up for another seven days, 00:08:46.059 --> 00:08:48.860 and the priest shall examine him again on the seventh day. 00:08:48.860 --> 00:08:53.519 And if the diseased area has faded and the disease has not spread in the skin, 00:08:53.600 --> 00:08:55.100 then the priest shall pronounce him clean. 00:08:55.340 --> 00:08:59.919 It is only an eruption, and he shall wash his clothes and be clean. 00:09:01.120 --> 00:09:06.539 But if the eruption spreads in the skin after he has shown himself to the priest for his cleansing, 00:09:07.200 --> 00:09:11.720 he shall appear again before the priest, and the priest shall look. 00:09:12.580 --> 00:09:16.259 And if the eruption has spread in the skin, then the priest shall pronounce him unclean. 00:09:16.259 --> 00:09:18.259 It is a leprous disease. 00:09:18.860 --> 00:09:23.800 So let's sum up this passage. 00:09:25.440 --> 00:09:28.320 In the nation of Israel, if someone was suspected of having leprosy, 00:09:28.419 --> 00:09:30.039 they were to be examined by a priest. 00:09:30.700 --> 00:09:33.399 And God gave the priest several symptoms to look for, 00:09:33.860 --> 00:09:38.419 and depending on the symptoms, the suspected leper could be categorized as clean, 00:09:38.960 --> 00:09:40.639 which means they didn't have leprosy, 00:09:41.080 --> 00:09:44.500 or unclean, which means they might have leprosy. 00:09:44.500 --> 00:09:49.200 There was also a third intermediate stage of quarantine for a seven-day cycle. 00:09:49.879 --> 00:09:51.620 And after being quarantined for seven days, 00:09:51.759 --> 00:09:55.960 someone who might have leprosy would then be checked by the priest again and declared clean or unclean, 00:09:56.100 --> 00:09:59.379 or they could be sent off to quarantine for another seven days, 00:09:59.799 --> 00:10:04.720 and the process would repeat itself until the person was declared clean or unclean. 00:10:04.720 --> 00:10:09.080 And if someone ever was declared clean and the skin ailments spread, 00:10:09.220 --> 00:10:13.060 then they had to go back to the priest for the process to begin anew. 00:10:13.700 --> 00:10:15.700 Now, this passage goes on for some time, 00:10:15.759 --> 00:10:18.740 giving further specifications about all sorts of skin ailments, 00:10:19.200 --> 00:10:22.540 instructions on examining the kinds of sores present on people, 00:10:23.180 --> 00:10:25.660 the proper disposal of certain contaminated garments, 00:10:25.659 --> 00:10:27.679 and how to wash contaminated garments. 00:10:28.459 --> 00:10:32.579 It should be known, too, that some of the Hebrew vocabulary items mentioned in the passage 00:10:32.579 --> 00:10:34.059 are difficult to translate, 00:10:34.639 --> 00:10:39.559 and they probably indicate a broader or a different categorization of disease and symptoms 00:10:39.559 --> 00:10:40.919 than we typically have today. 00:10:41.839 --> 00:10:44.620 But the end result for someone with a skin disease was this. 00:10:45.219 --> 00:10:48.299 Eventually, the person would either be declared clean or unclean. 00:10:48.959 --> 00:10:51.759 And Leviticus goes on to say if they were declared unclean, 00:10:52.319 --> 00:10:55.039 they were forbidden from entering the camp of the people of Israel. 00:10:55.039 --> 00:10:58.599 They were forbidden from living amongst villages and towns and cities, 00:10:58.839 --> 00:11:01.439 and they were forbidden from living with other healthy people. 00:11:02.099 --> 00:11:06.219 In fact, they had to visibly indicate that they had been declared unclean 00:11:06.219 --> 00:11:09.620 by tearing their clothes and letting their hair hang loose 00:11:09.620 --> 00:11:13.659 and by covering their mouth and by loudly proclaiming that they were unclean 00:11:13.659 --> 00:11:16.860 so that people would know to avoid them. 00:11:17.659 --> 00:11:21.980 The same chapter of Leviticus, chapter 13, verse 45, concludes with this. 00:11:21.980 --> 00:11:26.519 The leprous person who has the disease shall wear torn clothes 00:11:26.519 --> 00:11:28.920 and let the hair of his head hang loose, 00:11:28.920 --> 00:11:31.759 and he shall cover his upper lip and cry out, 00:11:31.899 --> 00:11:33.320 Unclean, unclean! 00:11:33.740 --> 00:11:36.840 He shall remain unclean as long as he has the disease. 00:11:37.440 --> 00:11:39.060 He is unclean. 00:11:39.279 --> 00:11:40.300 He shall live alone. 00:11:40.840 --> 00:11:43.420 His dwelling shall be outside the camp. 00:11:43.419 --> 00:11:49.759 Thus, the person with leprosy was to be totally separated from all other people. 00:11:49.959 --> 00:11:51.539 They could not interact with anyone, 00:11:52.379 --> 00:11:56.279 and they were supposed to cry unclean to warn other people not to come near them. 00:11:57.120 --> 00:12:00.679 So serious were these regulations that several books later in the Bible, 00:12:01.099 --> 00:12:03.139 in Deuteronomy, chapter 24, verse 8, 00:12:03.139 --> 00:12:07.460 The Israelites are again instructed to carefully observe all the ordinances 00:12:07.460 --> 00:12:10.240 that God taught them about leprosy. 00:12:11.220 --> 00:12:12.039 Deuteronomy reads, 00:12:12.179 --> 00:12:15.340 Take care in a case of leprous disease to be very careful 00:12:15.340 --> 00:12:18.840 to do according to all that the Levitical priests shall direct you, 00:12:19.439 --> 00:12:20.779 as I commanded them, 00:12:21.720 --> 00:12:23.559 so you shall be careful to do. 00:12:26.519 --> 00:12:30.919 Friends, it scarcely needs to be said that this process of quarantining those 00:12:30.919 --> 00:12:34.679 who have a contagious disease is all too familiar to us 00:12:34.679 --> 00:12:37.139 who've lived through the coronavirus pandemic. 00:12:38.339 --> 00:12:42.919 And it goes without saying that being quarantined is difficult and hard. 00:12:43.679 --> 00:12:45.719 And if the quarantine lasts for some time, 00:12:45.759 --> 00:12:49.240 it can be an awful, isolating experience. 00:12:50.360 --> 00:12:53.899 We know also that covering our faces when we interact with others 00:12:53.899 --> 00:12:55.299 can be very difficult, too. 00:12:56.279 --> 00:12:58.839 But now imagine how difficult the quarantine would be 00:12:58.840 --> 00:13:01.259 if you had leprosy in the ancient world, 00:13:01.840 --> 00:13:04.440 and your quarantine lasted for years and years, 00:13:05.080 --> 00:13:07.620 and every month you grew slowly worse and worse, 00:13:08.180 --> 00:13:10.379 and every month you grew more lonely 00:13:10.379 --> 00:13:12.540 with no one to help you, 00:13:13.060 --> 00:13:15.800 and every day you knew that your death was coming. 00:13:17.460 --> 00:13:19.019 These laws about leprosy 00:13:19.019 --> 00:13:22.639 that God gave through Moses were a drastic measure, 00:13:23.340 --> 00:13:25.879 but in a society which could not treat leprosy, 00:13:25.879 --> 00:13:30.779 the only other option was to let many more people suffer. 00:13:31.659 --> 00:13:34.659 And so God, in his good judgment and in his compassion, 00:13:35.360 --> 00:13:39.840 instructed the Israelites to enforce a strict quarantine for leprosy, 00:13:40.100 --> 00:13:43.139 which would mean that a small number of people would suffer 00:13:43.139 --> 00:13:44.340 instead of a great number. 00:13:45.899 --> 00:13:48.899 But there's also something else going on in this passage. 00:13:48.899 --> 00:13:52.659 It turns out that this quarantine for leprosy, 00:13:52.779 --> 00:13:53.840 which God stipulated, 00:13:54.360 --> 00:13:56.579 is actually the first example 00:13:56.579 --> 00:13:59.720 of a medical quarantine in human history. 00:14:00.740 --> 00:14:03.559 It would be hundreds, if not thousands of years 00:14:03.559 --> 00:14:07.199 before science progressed enough to understand how diseases spread. 00:14:08.559 --> 00:14:09.899 So these laws about leprosy, 00:14:09.980 --> 00:14:11.120 though they were very strict, 00:14:12.240 --> 00:14:13.899 they also show God's compassion. 00:14:13.899 --> 00:14:14.620 Compassion. 00:14:15.779 --> 00:14:18.240 They appear to demonstrate God mercifully 00:14:18.240 --> 00:14:20.100 and amazingly and miraculously, 00:14:20.879 --> 00:14:23.379 providing medical foreknowledge to the people of God. 00:14:23.980 --> 00:14:26.740 And there are actually many other examples like this 00:14:26.740 --> 00:14:27.959 in Moses' laws, 00:14:28.579 --> 00:14:30.600 laws that dictate sanitary procedures 00:14:30.600 --> 00:14:32.759 like the proper disposal of human waste, 00:14:33.500 --> 00:14:34.620 washing before eating, 00:14:34.939 --> 00:14:35.740 using soap, 00:14:35.919 --> 00:14:37.120 laws of sexual purity, 00:14:37.500 --> 00:14:40.860 all of which demonstrate remarkable medicinal foresight, 00:14:40.860 --> 00:14:44.879 and all of which demonstrate God's deep compassion for his people. 00:14:46.680 --> 00:14:48.899 So even in this list of rules for leprosy 00:14:48.899 --> 00:14:50.680 that at first might seem so harsh, 00:14:51.379 --> 00:14:53.680 we actually see God's wonderful 00:14:53.680 --> 00:14:57.560 and even miraculous compassion for his people. 00:14:59.300 --> 00:15:01.399 But let's return to that man with leprosy 00:15:01.399 --> 00:15:03.720 who came to Jesus in Mark chapter 1. 00:15:04.340 --> 00:15:07.600 We've already seen how the man was full of leprosy, 00:15:08.000 --> 00:15:10.139 how he likely had the disease for many years, 00:15:10.139 --> 00:15:12.620 how he was probably greatly disfigured 00:15:12.620 --> 00:15:14.799 and how his death may not be far off. 00:15:15.559 --> 00:15:17.139 But now with the help of Leviticus, 00:15:17.360 --> 00:15:19.439 we know some other things about the man. 00:15:19.980 --> 00:15:22.699 We know that several or perhaps many years previously, 00:15:22.819 --> 00:15:24.960 this man would have noticed that he had a skin disease 00:15:24.960 --> 00:15:26.740 and he would have been brought to a priest 00:15:26.740 --> 00:15:28.379 and examined for this skin condition. 00:15:28.860 --> 00:15:31.179 And then likely after several weeks of quarantine, 00:15:31.860 --> 00:15:33.519 several weeks of worrying about his fate, 00:15:33.840 --> 00:15:35.340 he would have been deemed unclean 00:15:35.340 --> 00:15:37.600 and then he would have been cast out of his village 00:15:37.600 --> 00:15:40.360 and probably cast out of his family. 00:15:41.960 --> 00:15:44.340 The Old Testament commandments were intended by God 00:15:44.340 --> 00:15:45.980 to be implemented with love, 00:15:46.300 --> 00:15:49.159 but we know that the Israelites often did the opposite. 00:15:50.060 --> 00:15:53.100 So this man, after being cast out of his village, 00:15:53.519 --> 00:15:56.620 he may have endured years of people scorning him, 00:15:56.720 --> 00:15:59.240 years of abandonment or ridicule, 00:15:59.460 --> 00:16:00.980 stereotyping, stigmatization. 00:16:00.980 --> 00:16:05.080 I think you can be sure that when this man came to Jesus, 00:16:05.240 --> 00:16:06.759 he was lonely and in despair 00:16:06.759 --> 00:16:10.340 and with few friends and little family. 00:16:12.180 --> 00:16:13.620 And all this suffering we know 00:16:13.620 --> 00:16:15.860 would have probably ended in this man's death. 00:16:17.180 --> 00:16:18.920 And this man comes to Jesus 00:16:18.920 --> 00:16:21.320 and he kneels before Jesus 00:16:21.320 --> 00:16:23.000 and he implores Jesus. 00:16:23.220 --> 00:16:24.659 He says, Lord, if you will, 00:16:25.120 --> 00:16:26.340 you can make me clean. 00:16:26.340 --> 00:16:29.960 And now Leviticus has taught us something else 00:16:29.960 --> 00:16:30.980 about this passage. 00:16:31.879 --> 00:16:33.360 The laws of leprosy in Leviticus 00:16:33.360 --> 00:16:36.379 say that this man was not supposed to come near to Jesus. 00:16:36.860 --> 00:16:38.620 He was supposed to be isolated. 00:16:38.980 --> 00:16:40.240 He was supposed to run away. 00:16:40.399 --> 00:16:41.879 He was supposed to cover his mouth 00:16:41.879 --> 00:16:42.920 and tear his clothes 00:16:42.920 --> 00:16:45.160 and yell, unclean, unclean. 00:16:46.680 --> 00:16:48.879 This man had a deadly contagious disease 00:16:48.879 --> 00:16:50.200 and in violation of the law, 00:16:50.300 --> 00:16:52.900 he comes near to Jesus and exposes Jesus. 00:16:54.540 --> 00:16:55.800 What will Jesus do? 00:16:57.340 --> 00:16:58.800 Will he rebuke him? 00:17:00.160 --> 00:17:03.379 Instead, our Jesus does something amazing. 00:17:03.879 --> 00:17:06.120 We read in verses 41 and 42, 00:17:07.240 --> 00:17:08.539 Moved with pity, 00:17:09.200 --> 00:17:10.779 he stretched out his hand 00:17:10.779 --> 00:17:12.500 and he touched him. 00:17:13.420 --> 00:17:14.500 And he said to him, 00:17:14.840 --> 00:17:17.680 I will be clean. 00:17:18.700 --> 00:17:21.220 And immediately the leprosy left him 00:17:21.220 --> 00:17:23.900 and he was made clean. 00:17:23.900 --> 00:17:28.440 Notice carefully what Jesus does here. 00:17:28.519 --> 00:17:29.240 It's easy to miss. 00:17:29.720 --> 00:17:31.220 Jesus does, of course, 00:17:31.580 --> 00:17:33.019 miraculously cleanse the man. 00:17:33.100 --> 00:17:33.940 That's easy to see. 00:17:34.040 --> 00:17:35.240 But before all that, 00:17:35.320 --> 00:17:37.080 Jesus does the last thing 00:17:37.080 --> 00:17:38.519 that many of us would want to do. 00:17:39.240 --> 00:17:41.560 He stretches out his hand 00:17:41.560 --> 00:17:43.920 and he touches the leper. 00:17:45.620 --> 00:17:48.560 Jesus' first instinct 00:17:48.559 --> 00:17:50.700 when seeing this man with leprosy 00:17:50.700 --> 00:17:51.619 is to touch him. 00:17:52.220 --> 00:17:53.839 His first action 00:17:53.839 --> 00:17:56.019 is to touch this man 00:17:56.019 --> 00:17:56.799 who had a fatal 00:17:56.799 --> 00:17:58.720 and contagious disease 00:17:58.720 --> 00:18:00.099 that spread by contact 00:18:00.099 --> 00:18:01.419 and Jesus touches him. 00:18:01.420 --> 00:18:06.240 The only way to avoid getting leprosy 00:18:06.240 --> 00:18:07.940 is to avoid contact with lepers. 00:18:09.300 --> 00:18:11.300 And Jesus touches this leper. 00:18:12.160 --> 00:18:14.279 According to the Levitical law, 00:18:15.000 --> 00:18:16.240 part of which we read, 00:18:17.180 --> 00:18:19.680 this made Jesus unclean. 00:18:20.680 --> 00:18:22.860 But Jesus touches the man still. 00:18:23.320 --> 00:18:25.840 He put his hand on the leper. 00:18:25.839 --> 00:18:29.019 He put his hand on a man 00:18:29.019 --> 00:18:31.519 who may not have felt human touch for years. 00:18:33.799 --> 00:18:35.319 Jesus looks at this man 00:18:35.319 --> 00:18:36.179 and he knows him. 00:18:36.259 --> 00:18:37.259 He knows that his struggles 00:18:37.259 --> 00:18:39.379 are more than just a physical disease. 00:18:41.759 --> 00:18:44.319 He knows the man has been isolated for years 00:18:44.319 --> 00:18:46.480 and likely rejected by friends and family. 00:18:47.139 --> 00:18:48.740 And Jesus sees his despair 00:18:48.740 --> 00:18:50.439 and he draws near to him. 00:18:52.119 --> 00:18:54.019 Jesus' first action 00:18:54.019 --> 00:18:57.339 is to attend to this man's 00:18:57.339 --> 00:19:00.039 inner spiritual state. 00:19:01.319 --> 00:19:04.000 And Jesus risks his own life to do this. 00:19:04.819 --> 00:19:06.579 He could have simply said a word from afar 00:19:06.579 --> 00:19:09.000 to cure him like he does many other times, 00:19:09.279 --> 00:19:10.359 but he doesn't. 00:19:12.420 --> 00:19:13.900 Jesus touches the man 00:19:13.900 --> 00:19:16.759 so that he might touch the man's heart also. 00:19:19.160 --> 00:19:21.279 And Jesus risks much to do this. 00:19:21.279 --> 00:19:22.500 Jesus himself 00:19:22.500 --> 00:19:25.599 now might be considered unclean by others. 00:19:25.740 --> 00:19:27.420 He himself risks becoming a leper. 00:19:27.579 --> 00:19:29.180 He himself might face scorn. 00:19:29.359 --> 00:19:31.720 He himself might face isolation and rejection 00:19:31.720 --> 00:19:33.759 and disease 00:19:33.759 --> 00:19:35.299 and death. 00:19:36.899 --> 00:19:39.220 But Jesus saw the suffering of this man 00:19:39.220 --> 00:19:40.480 and shared his suffering. 00:19:42.200 --> 00:19:44.839 And he reached out and touched this man's heart. 00:19:45.079 --> 00:19:45.799 And this is all 00:19:45.799 --> 00:19:47.779 aside from the fact 00:19:47.779 --> 00:19:51.099 that he miraculously cleansed him from leprosy. 00:19:53.359 --> 00:19:54.379 Friends, I wonder, 00:19:54.839 --> 00:19:57.859 have you ever felt the touch of Jesus? 00:20:00.099 --> 00:20:01.940 We may not have leprosy, 00:20:02.399 --> 00:20:04.859 but we all are like this man. 00:20:05.299 --> 00:20:07.399 We all are unclean before Jesus. 00:20:07.799 --> 00:20:10.639 We all are like lepers in his sight. 00:20:10.640 --> 00:20:13.200 But he draws near to us still. 00:20:14.720 --> 00:20:15.980 Jesus proclaimed, 00:20:16.320 --> 00:20:17.040 those who are healthy 00:20:17.040 --> 00:20:18.300 have no need of a doctor. 00:20:19.000 --> 00:20:20.980 I have not come to call the righteous, 00:20:21.720 --> 00:20:23.100 but sinners to repentance. 00:20:25.000 --> 00:20:26.160 Friends, are you caught 00:20:26.160 --> 00:20:28.080 in the uncleanness of your sins? 00:20:28.480 --> 00:20:30.460 Are you enslaved by them 00:20:30.460 --> 00:20:31.300 with no way out? 00:20:31.420 --> 00:20:33.380 Are you unclean before God? 00:20:33.780 --> 00:20:35.620 Are you in despair or alone 00:20:35.620 --> 00:20:38.300 without friends or family? 00:20:38.299 --> 00:20:40.839 Are you in darkness? 00:20:41.919 --> 00:20:43.480 If so, have you gone to Jesus 00:20:43.480 --> 00:20:44.319 like this leper? 00:20:44.480 --> 00:20:46.359 Have you fallen on your face 00:20:46.359 --> 00:20:46.960 and said, 00:20:47.059 --> 00:20:48.079 Lord, if you are willing, 00:20:48.180 --> 00:20:49.440 you can make me clean? 00:20:50.359 --> 00:20:51.159 I remember 00:20:51.159 --> 00:20:52.700 when 20 years ago 00:20:52.700 --> 00:20:54.079 Jesus reached out his hand 00:20:54.079 --> 00:20:54.960 and touched me 00:20:54.960 --> 00:20:56.159 when I was wandering 00:20:56.159 --> 00:20:57.500 in darkness and despair. 00:20:57.680 --> 00:20:58.779 When all of a sudden 00:20:58.779 --> 00:21:00.039 the light of the world, 00:21:00.180 --> 00:21:01.220 Jesus, came near 00:21:01.220 --> 00:21:02.700 and he reached out 00:21:02.700 --> 00:21:03.599 and took hold of me 00:21:03.599 --> 00:21:05.039 and he cleansed me of my sins 00:21:05.039 --> 00:21:06.379 and he poured the love of God 00:21:06.379 --> 00:21:07.279 into my heart. 00:21:08.299 --> 00:21:09.759 Friends, if you have not yet 00:21:09.759 --> 00:21:10.559 gone to Jesus, 00:21:11.460 --> 00:21:12.899 if you have not yet asked him 00:21:12.899 --> 00:21:13.740 with a humble heart 00:21:13.740 --> 00:21:14.720 to make you clean, 00:21:15.399 --> 00:21:16.680 then I invite you 00:21:16.680 --> 00:21:17.619 to do so today 00:21:17.619 --> 00:21:19.659 and he will cleanse you 00:21:19.659 --> 00:21:20.980 like he cleansed this man. 00:21:22.379 --> 00:21:23.079 And church, 00:21:23.159 --> 00:21:24.379 if you've already been cleansed 00:21:24.379 --> 00:21:25.079 by Jesus, 00:21:25.799 --> 00:21:26.720 are you now turning 00:21:26.720 --> 00:21:28.099 to cleanse and love others 00:21:28.099 --> 00:21:30.879 like Jesus has done for you? 00:21:32.419 --> 00:21:33.940 Are you like Jesus, 00:21:34.119 --> 00:21:35.319 drawing near to those 00:21:35.319 --> 00:21:36.419 who are unclean? 00:21:36.420 --> 00:21:38.820 Are you reaching out to them? 00:21:40.620 --> 00:21:42.160 In our society today, 00:21:42.360 --> 00:21:44.060 we do not have many lepers, 00:21:44.680 --> 00:21:45.960 but we have many people 00:21:45.960 --> 00:21:47.620 who are unclean in our sight. 00:21:49.000 --> 00:21:50.360 Sometimes it is those 00:21:50.360 --> 00:21:51.100 who look different 00:21:51.100 --> 00:21:51.920 or act different. 00:21:53.519 --> 00:21:54.940 Sometimes it is family 00:21:54.940 --> 00:21:55.640 or friends 00:21:55.640 --> 00:21:57.480 who annoy or hurt us. 00:21:58.440 --> 00:21:59.500 It could be colleagues 00:21:59.500 --> 00:22:00.940 or lab mates 00:22:00.940 --> 00:22:01.600 or roommates 00:22:01.600 --> 00:22:02.620 who make our life 00:22:02.620 --> 00:22:03.320 more challenging. 00:22:03.319 --> 00:22:04.839 It might be those 00:22:04.839 --> 00:22:05.539 who have a different 00:22:05.539 --> 00:22:06.500 political preference. 00:22:06.740 --> 00:22:08.019 It might be your difficult neighbor, 00:22:08.159 --> 00:22:09.319 your unreasonable boss, 00:22:09.419 --> 00:22:10.700 your subordinates at work, 00:22:11.379 --> 00:22:12.659 your extended family, 00:22:12.919 --> 00:22:14.539 or anyone else 00:22:14.539 --> 00:22:15.639 from the homeless man 00:22:15.639 --> 00:22:16.099 on the street 00:22:16.099 --> 00:22:16.919 to the politician 00:22:16.919 --> 00:22:17.720 in his mansion. 00:22:18.679 --> 00:22:19.980 Whoever is unclean 00:22:19.980 --> 00:22:20.859 in your sight, 00:22:21.659 --> 00:22:23.899 are you loving them 00:22:23.899 --> 00:22:25.000 like Jesus does? 00:22:25.859 --> 00:22:27.220 Do you draw near to them? 00:22:27.579 --> 00:22:28.299 Do you reach out 00:22:28.299 --> 00:22:29.179 your hand to them? 00:22:29.759 --> 00:22:30.579 Do you reach out 00:22:30.579 --> 00:22:31.679 to touch their heart? 00:22:31.680 --> 00:22:33.960 So, friends, 00:22:34.039 --> 00:22:34.680 gathering all these 00:22:34.680 --> 00:22:35.299 things together, 00:22:35.420 --> 00:22:36.820 we see that with just a word 00:22:36.820 --> 00:22:38.660 and just a touch, 00:22:39.680 --> 00:22:40.380 our Lord Jesus 00:22:40.380 --> 00:22:41.240 not only touched 00:22:41.240 --> 00:22:42.180 this leper physically, 00:22:42.640 --> 00:22:45.400 he also touched his heart. 00:22:46.500 --> 00:22:47.100 And by this, 00:22:47.140 --> 00:22:48.160 he gives us an example 00:22:48.160 --> 00:22:49.640 that we are to follow. 00:22:51.740 --> 00:22:53.840 But Jesus isn't done yet 00:22:53.840 --> 00:22:55.160 ministering to this man. 00:22:55.960 --> 00:22:57.160 Let's continue reading. 00:22:57.860 --> 00:22:58.740 Mark goes on to say 00:22:58.740 --> 00:23:00.220 in verse 43 and 44, 00:23:00.220 --> 00:23:03.240 And Jesus sternly charged him 00:23:03.240 --> 00:23:04.460 and sent him away at once. 00:23:04.960 --> 00:23:05.620 He said to him, 00:23:06.019 --> 00:23:06.980 See that you say nothing 00:23:06.980 --> 00:23:07.600 to anyone, 00:23:07.940 --> 00:23:08.559 but go, 00:23:09.059 --> 00:23:10.319 show yourself to the priest 00:23:10.319 --> 00:23:11.900 and offer for your cleansing 00:23:11.900 --> 00:23:13.059 what Moses commanded 00:23:13.059 --> 00:23:14.579 for a proof to them. 00:23:16.759 --> 00:23:18.100 We've seen this before 00:23:18.100 --> 00:23:18.839 with Jesus. 00:23:19.519 --> 00:23:21.180 He doesn't want people bragging 00:23:21.180 --> 00:23:22.100 about the miraculous 00:23:22.100 --> 00:23:23.299 physical healing. 00:23:24.039 --> 00:23:25.279 Jesus isn't the carnival 00:23:25.279 --> 00:23:26.100 come to town. 00:23:26.640 --> 00:23:28.279 He's not a traveling road show. 00:23:28.279 --> 00:23:30.440 He doesn't want gawkers gathering. 00:23:30.960 --> 00:23:32.099 The point of his ministry 00:23:32.099 --> 00:23:33.720 is not physical healing, 00:23:33.819 --> 00:23:34.599 though that happens 00:23:34.599 --> 00:23:35.160 in abundance. 00:23:36.059 --> 00:23:37.099 Jesus is about 00:23:37.099 --> 00:23:37.960 the deeper issues 00:23:37.960 --> 00:23:38.720 of the heart. 00:23:39.279 --> 00:23:39.700 He is about 00:23:39.700 --> 00:23:41.059 the forgiveness of sins 00:23:41.059 --> 00:23:42.299 and the reconciliation 00:23:42.299 --> 00:23:43.440 of men and women 00:23:43.440 --> 00:23:44.099 to God. 00:23:44.779 --> 00:23:46.000 So he tells the man 00:23:46.000 --> 00:23:47.079 not to go around 00:23:47.079 --> 00:23:47.700 telling everyone 00:23:47.700 --> 00:23:48.279 what happened. 00:23:48.819 --> 00:23:49.099 Instead, 00:23:49.240 --> 00:23:49.879 he instructs him 00:23:49.879 --> 00:23:50.819 to go to the priest 00:23:50.819 --> 00:23:52.440 and offer for his cleansing 00:23:52.440 --> 00:23:53.579 what Moses commanded. 00:23:53.579 --> 00:23:56.339 And Jesus does this 00:23:56.339 --> 00:23:57.139 for two reasons. 00:23:57.939 --> 00:23:58.359 First, 00:23:59.079 --> 00:24:00.339 he draws the man's attention 00:24:00.339 --> 00:24:01.899 to the word of God 00:24:01.899 --> 00:24:03.579 and he exhorts him 00:24:03.579 --> 00:24:04.579 to follow it. 00:24:05.740 --> 00:24:06.799 The Mosaic law 00:24:06.799 --> 00:24:07.799 had not yet been fulfilled 00:24:07.799 --> 00:24:08.439 by Jesus, 00:24:09.039 --> 00:24:10.460 and so Jesus calls the man 00:24:10.460 --> 00:24:10.919 to remember 00:24:10.919 --> 00:24:11.839 the very chapter 00:24:11.839 --> 00:24:13.279 we read in Leviticus 00:24:13.279 --> 00:24:14.960 and to do what was commanded 00:24:14.960 --> 00:24:15.639 by Moses, 00:24:16.079 --> 00:24:17.339 that if someone was cleansed 00:24:17.339 --> 00:24:18.299 of his skin disease, 00:24:18.659 --> 00:24:19.480 then they were to offer 00:24:19.480 --> 00:24:20.980 a sacrifice at the temple 00:24:20.980 --> 00:24:21.859 for their cleansing. 00:24:21.859 --> 00:24:24.619 In doing this, 00:24:25.199 --> 00:24:26.339 Jesus reminds the man 00:24:26.339 --> 00:24:27.359 of what Moses wrote. 00:24:27.479 --> 00:24:29.039 He turns the man's attention 00:24:29.039 --> 00:24:30.659 to the word of God. 00:24:31.519 --> 00:24:32.779 Jesus shows the man 00:24:32.779 --> 00:24:34.119 how to properly interpret 00:24:34.119 --> 00:24:36.559 and apply the word of God 00:24:36.559 --> 00:24:37.459 to his life. 00:24:38.740 --> 00:24:40.279 But there's a second reason 00:24:40.279 --> 00:24:42.079 that Jesus instructs the man 00:24:42.079 --> 00:24:43.039 to go to the priest. 00:24:44.299 --> 00:24:45.859 Jesus had already attended 00:24:45.859 --> 00:24:47.339 to this man's physical needs 00:24:47.339 --> 00:24:48.299 by healing him. 00:24:48.839 --> 00:24:49.779 He had already attended 00:24:49.779 --> 00:24:50.879 to this man's deeper 00:24:50.880 --> 00:24:52.380 emotional despair 00:24:52.380 --> 00:24:53.420 by drawing near 00:24:53.420 --> 00:24:54.740 and stretching out his hand 00:24:54.740 --> 00:24:55.520 and touching him. 00:24:55.900 --> 00:24:57.040 He's already given him 00:24:57.040 --> 00:24:58.040 spiritual guidance 00:24:58.040 --> 00:24:59.000 by exhorting him 00:24:59.000 --> 00:25:00.020 to obey the scriptures. 00:25:01.060 --> 00:25:01.940 And now, 00:25:02.100 --> 00:25:03.180 by telling the man 00:25:03.180 --> 00:25:04.680 to go and see a priest, 00:25:05.340 --> 00:25:06.360 he is looking out 00:25:06.360 --> 00:25:07.800 for this man's restoration 00:25:07.800 --> 00:25:09.600 and reintegration 00:25:09.600 --> 00:25:10.860 with the people of God. 00:25:11.660 --> 00:25:13.160 Jesus knows that this man 00:25:13.160 --> 00:25:13.900 has been cut off 00:25:13.900 --> 00:25:15.400 from the people of God 00:25:15.400 --> 00:25:16.080 for years. 00:25:16.620 --> 00:25:17.500 He knows that even 00:25:17.500 --> 00:25:18.800 after this miraculous 00:25:18.800 --> 00:25:19.860 encounter with Jesus, 00:25:19.859 --> 00:25:21.279 people will still think 00:25:21.279 --> 00:25:22.579 of the man as unclean 00:25:22.579 --> 00:25:23.719 unless a priest 00:25:23.719 --> 00:25:24.819 has declared him able 00:25:24.819 --> 00:25:26.479 to reenter Jewish society 00:25:26.479 --> 00:25:28.339 as the chapter we read 00:25:28.339 --> 00:25:30.339 in Leviticus instructs. 00:25:31.059 --> 00:25:32.219 So Jesus tells him 00:25:32.219 --> 00:25:33.579 to follow the Mosaic Law 00:25:33.579 --> 00:25:35.299 so that he might be restored 00:25:35.299 --> 00:25:36.059 to his family, 00:25:36.439 --> 00:25:37.319 to his friends, 00:25:37.579 --> 00:25:38.619 and to his hometown. 00:25:39.919 --> 00:25:42.619 Jesus is the good doctor. 00:25:43.259 --> 00:25:44.479 He is the great physician. 00:25:44.979 --> 00:25:45.799 He is the healer 00:25:45.799 --> 00:25:46.500 of our souls. 00:25:46.500 --> 00:25:48.240 He cares not just 00:25:48.240 --> 00:25:49.319 for the body, 00:25:49.880 --> 00:25:50.880 but for our soul, 00:25:51.039 --> 00:25:51.519 our mind, 00:25:51.619 --> 00:25:52.200 our spirit, 00:25:52.880 --> 00:25:54.299 and even for our 00:25:54.299 --> 00:25:55.279 spiritual community. 00:25:56.680 --> 00:25:57.880 And with Jesus, 00:25:58.200 --> 00:25:59.500 he models for us 00:25:59.500 --> 00:26:00.380 how we are called 00:26:00.380 --> 00:26:01.240 to love others. 00:26:02.059 --> 00:26:03.940 Notice that for Jesus, 00:26:04.740 --> 00:26:05.480 exhorting someone 00:26:05.480 --> 00:26:06.839 to submit to the word of God 00:26:06.839 --> 00:26:07.799 on the one hand, 00:26:08.259 --> 00:26:09.000 and then attending 00:26:09.000 --> 00:26:10.259 to that person's physical 00:26:10.259 --> 00:26:11.240 and emotional needs 00:26:11.240 --> 00:26:11.839 on the other, 00:26:12.559 --> 00:26:13.839 are both required 00:26:13.839 --> 00:26:14.879 when it comes 00:26:14.879 --> 00:26:15.959 to loving your neighbor. 00:26:17.659 --> 00:26:18.819 Sometimes we Christians 00:26:18.819 --> 00:26:19.980 choose one or the other. 00:26:20.379 --> 00:26:21.220 Sometimes we think 00:26:21.220 --> 00:26:22.059 that loving our neighbor 00:26:22.059 --> 00:26:22.980 means only speaking 00:26:22.980 --> 00:26:24.339 hard truths from Scripture. 00:26:25.240 --> 00:26:26.199 And sometimes we think 00:26:26.199 --> 00:26:27.139 that loving our neighbor 00:26:27.139 --> 00:26:28.720 only means attending 00:26:28.720 --> 00:26:30.339 to our neighbor's 00:26:30.339 --> 00:26:31.539 perceived physical 00:26:31.539 --> 00:26:32.919 and emotional needs. 00:26:33.480 --> 00:26:34.279 But Jesus, 00:26:34.819 --> 00:26:35.699 the great physician, 00:26:36.480 --> 00:26:37.220 he shows 00:26:37.220 --> 00:26:39.199 that to love our neighbor 00:26:39.199 --> 00:26:39.859 means to do 00:26:39.859 --> 00:26:41.099 all those things together. 00:26:41.099 --> 00:26:43.240 It means to exhort others 00:26:43.240 --> 00:26:44.619 to attend to God's word, 00:26:45.219 --> 00:26:46.379 to exhort others 00:26:46.379 --> 00:26:47.719 to submit themselves to it, 00:26:47.980 --> 00:26:49.219 and to repent of their sins 00:26:49.219 --> 00:26:50.039 before God. 00:26:51.079 --> 00:26:52.079 It also means 00:26:52.079 --> 00:26:52.939 to serve others, 00:26:53.419 --> 00:26:54.059 to attend to their 00:26:54.059 --> 00:26:54.779 physical needs, 00:26:54.859 --> 00:26:55.879 to touch their hearts, 00:26:56.199 --> 00:26:57.240 to help integrate them 00:26:57.240 --> 00:26:58.579 into a spiritual community, 00:26:58.579 --> 00:26:59.919 and to do all these things, 00:27:00.319 --> 00:27:02.480 even at great personal cost. 00:27:03.599 --> 00:27:04.839 And Jesus does this 00:27:04.839 --> 00:27:05.259 all throughout 00:27:05.259 --> 00:27:06.259 the Gospel of Mark, 00:27:06.699 --> 00:27:07.619 beginning at the very 00:27:07.619 --> 00:27:09.259 commencement of Jesus' ministry, 00:27:09.259 --> 00:27:10.839 in Mark 115, 00:27:11.879 --> 00:27:13.480 where Jesus' central message 00:27:13.480 --> 00:27:14.359 is that all people 00:27:14.359 --> 00:27:15.819 should repent of their sins. 00:27:16.579 --> 00:27:17.160 And then, 00:27:17.539 --> 00:27:18.640 while Jesus is preaching 00:27:18.640 --> 00:27:19.379 this message, 00:27:19.740 --> 00:27:20.640 we see all throughout 00:27:20.640 --> 00:27:21.579 the Gospel of Mark 00:27:21.579 --> 00:27:22.839 account after account 00:27:22.839 --> 00:27:24.519 of Jesus' healings 00:27:24.519 --> 00:27:25.400 and acts of service 00:27:25.400 --> 00:27:25.940 and love 00:27:25.940 --> 00:27:27.299 continuing right up 00:27:27.299 --> 00:27:28.019 to where he goes 00:27:28.019 --> 00:27:29.160 to the cross for us. 00:27:30.920 --> 00:27:31.400 Christians, 00:27:31.539 --> 00:27:32.039 I ask now 00:27:32.039 --> 00:27:32.980 what I asked before. 00:27:33.940 --> 00:27:35.160 Are you loving others 00:27:35.160 --> 00:27:36.799 like Jesus loves them? 00:27:36.799 --> 00:27:39.319 Are you loving others 00:27:39.319 --> 00:27:40.599 like Jesus loves you? 00:27:42.259 --> 00:27:43.460 Do you point others 00:27:43.460 --> 00:27:44.899 to the truth of God's word? 00:27:46.000 --> 00:27:47.079 Do you serve others' 00:27:47.220 --> 00:27:48.039 physical needs? 00:27:48.220 --> 00:27:49.099 Do you care for others' 00:27:49.220 --> 00:27:49.559 emotions? 00:27:50.200 --> 00:27:51.099 Do you help the lonely 00:27:51.099 --> 00:27:52.039 to find a community? 00:27:53.399 --> 00:27:54.359 Do you ever risk 00:27:54.359 --> 00:27:55.980 or sacrifice for others 00:27:55.980 --> 00:27:57.960 like Jesus has done for you? 00:27:59.399 --> 00:28:00.700 Jesus has left a model 00:28:00.700 --> 00:28:01.700 that we should follow. 00:28:02.379 --> 00:28:03.819 He says in the Gospel of John, 00:28:03.819 --> 00:28:05.259 for I have given you 00:28:05.259 --> 00:28:05.899 an example 00:28:05.899 --> 00:28:08.019 that you also should do 00:28:08.019 --> 00:28:09.559 just as I have done to you. 00:28:10.659 --> 00:28:12.259 And Jesus did all these things 00:28:12.259 --> 00:28:13.139 when he ministered 00:28:13.139 --> 00:28:14.480 to this man with leprosy. 00:28:16.079 --> 00:28:17.200 I should say 00:28:17.200 --> 00:28:19.139 that loving others 00:28:19.139 --> 00:28:20.039 like Jesus does 00:28:20.039 --> 00:28:20.919 is hard to do 00:28:20.919 --> 00:28:22.460 and we need 00:28:22.460 --> 00:28:23.500 the grace of God 00:28:23.500 --> 00:28:24.139 to help us. 00:28:24.279 --> 00:28:25.700 We cannot do it alone. 00:28:26.619 --> 00:28:26.960 So, 00:28:27.159 --> 00:28:28.299 if you are intimidated 00:28:28.299 --> 00:28:29.379 by these things, 00:28:30.179 --> 00:28:31.339 cast yourself on Jesus 00:28:31.339 --> 00:28:32.439 and he will help you. 00:28:32.440 --> 00:28:34.080 He will lift you up 00:28:34.080 --> 00:28:35.820 and as you go forth 00:28:35.820 --> 00:28:36.820 to preach the Gospel 00:28:36.820 --> 00:28:38.080 and to humbly love, 00:28:39.000 --> 00:28:39.840 there is something else 00:28:39.840 --> 00:28:40.519 you should know. 00:28:41.840 --> 00:28:42.799 The final verse 00:28:42.799 --> 00:28:43.779 in our passage today 00:28:43.779 --> 00:28:44.820 shows that there is 00:28:44.820 --> 00:28:45.480 something else 00:28:45.480 --> 00:28:47.140 about loving others 00:28:47.140 --> 00:28:48.480 that makes it 00:28:48.480 --> 00:28:49.240 very challenging 00:28:49.240 --> 00:28:51.120 and of which Scripture 00:28:51.120 --> 00:28:53.000 wants you to be aware. 00:28:54.140 --> 00:28:55.559 After Jesus tells the man 00:28:55.559 --> 00:28:56.519 not to speak openly 00:28:56.519 --> 00:28:57.400 about this miracle, 00:28:58.039 --> 00:28:59.600 we read in verse 45, 00:28:59.599 --> 00:29:01.819 but he went out 00:29:01.819 --> 00:29:03.719 and began to talk 00:29:03.719 --> 00:29:04.719 freely about it 00:29:04.719 --> 00:29:06.839 and to spread the news 00:29:06.839 --> 00:29:08.519 so that Jesus 00:29:08.519 --> 00:29:09.319 could no longer 00:29:09.319 --> 00:29:10.740 openly enter a town 00:29:10.740 --> 00:29:12.139 but was out 00:29:12.139 --> 00:29:13.259 in desolate places 00:29:13.259 --> 00:29:15.039 and people were coming 00:29:15.039 --> 00:29:15.559 to him 00:29:15.559 --> 00:29:17.199 from every quarter. 00:29:20.819 --> 00:29:22.319 After all Jesus did 00:29:22.319 --> 00:29:23.099 for this man, 00:29:23.899 --> 00:29:25.559 after all Jesus risked 00:29:25.559 --> 00:29:26.980 and after all the love 00:29:26.980 --> 00:29:27.839 with which he loved 00:29:27.839 --> 00:29:28.500 this man, 00:29:29.779 --> 00:29:30.659 then the man 00:29:30.659 --> 00:29:31.839 did not obey Jesus. 00:29:33.079 --> 00:29:34.220 And this resulted 00:29:34.220 --> 00:29:35.460 in Jesus not being able 00:29:35.460 --> 00:29:36.639 to preach the good news 00:29:36.639 --> 00:29:38.579 in the cities and towns 00:29:38.579 --> 00:29:39.899 like he once did. 00:29:41.539 --> 00:29:42.099 Friends, 00:29:42.200 --> 00:29:42.960 this is perhaps 00:29:42.960 --> 00:29:43.859 the hardest thing 00:29:43.859 --> 00:29:44.919 about loving others. 00:29:47.339 --> 00:29:48.759 Sometimes they don't listen. 00:29:48.759 --> 00:29:50.779 In fact, 00:29:50.879 --> 00:29:51.660 Scripture promises 00:29:51.660 --> 00:29:52.680 that a lot of times 00:29:52.680 --> 00:29:53.319 they won't. 00:29:54.799 --> 00:29:55.839 But Christian, 00:29:56.460 --> 00:29:57.980 if you're discouraged 00:29:57.980 --> 00:29:58.920 in your walk 00:29:58.920 --> 00:29:59.920 and in your service 00:29:59.920 --> 00:30:00.640 with Christ, 00:30:01.119 --> 00:30:01.960 if you're tired 00:30:01.960 --> 00:30:02.900 of being rejected 00:30:02.900 --> 00:30:04.000 or misinterpreted, 00:30:04.279 --> 00:30:05.460 if you've not seen fruit 00:30:05.460 --> 00:30:06.740 for many years, 00:30:07.559 --> 00:30:08.339 then take heart. 00:30:09.839 --> 00:30:11.759 What you have experienced, 00:30:13.079 --> 00:30:14.099 Jesus experienced, 00:30:14.599 --> 00:30:15.680 and your fellow saints 00:30:15.680 --> 00:30:16.259 experience. 00:30:16.259 --> 00:30:18.519 So keep your eyes 00:30:18.519 --> 00:30:19.039 on Jesus. 00:30:20.420 --> 00:30:21.019 Watch him 00:30:21.019 --> 00:30:23.119 in the Gospel of Mark. 00:30:23.299 --> 00:30:23.859 Be encouraged 00:30:23.859 --> 00:30:24.799 by his perseverance. 00:30:25.960 --> 00:30:26.920 Don't be surprised 00:30:26.920 --> 00:30:28.140 when things don't turn out 00:30:28.140 --> 00:30:28.960 the way you hoped. 00:30:29.500 --> 00:30:30.220 After all, 00:30:30.980 --> 00:30:31.740 that's why we need 00:30:31.740 --> 00:30:32.160 a Savior. 00:30:33.160 --> 00:30:33.859 This is why 00:30:33.859 --> 00:30:35.059 we can't save ourselves 00:30:35.059 --> 00:30:36.519 and this is why 00:30:36.519 --> 00:30:38.339 we can't save others. 00:30:39.259 --> 00:30:40.059 Be assured 00:30:40.059 --> 00:30:41.079 that the kingdom of God 00:30:41.079 --> 00:30:41.759 will not fail. 00:30:41.859 --> 00:30:42.879 It will continue to grow. 00:30:43.319 --> 00:30:44.599 Sometimes we don't know how, 00:30:44.940 --> 00:30:45.920 but God is faithful 00:30:45.920 --> 00:30:46.860 and he has promised 00:30:46.860 --> 00:30:48.500 in this very passage, 00:30:48.900 --> 00:30:49.680 after this man 00:30:49.680 --> 00:30:50.759 disobeys Jesus, 00:30:51.840 --> 00:30:52.620 meaning that Jesus 00:30:52.620 --> 00:30:53.400 could no longer 00:30:53.400 --> 00:30:54.920 preach openly in towns, 00:30:56.220 --> 00:30:57.620 people still come to Jesus 00:30:57.620 --> 00:30:58.539 from every quarter 00:30:58.539 --> 00:30:59.980 and he keeps right on preaching 00:30:59.980 --> 00:31:01.300 for the Gospel 00:31:01.300 --> 00:31:02.519 will not be restrained. 00:31:03.080 --> 00:31:04.120 So watch Jesus 00:31:04.120 --> 00:31:05.660 in the Gospel of Mark. 00:31:06.779 --> 00:31:08.480 In difficulty after difficulty, 00:31:08.660 --> 00:31:09.860 he continues to minister. 00:31:09.860 --> 00:31:11.400 He keeps right on serving. 00:31:11.860 --> 00:31:13.440 He even is betrayed by Judas, 00:31:13.680 --> 00:31:14.960 abandoned by his disciples. 00:31:14.960 --> 00:31:16.400 He even goes to the cross 00:31:16.400 --> 00:31:17.360 and to his death, 00:31:17.940 --> 00:31:18.920 but then he goes 00:31:18.920 --> 00:31:19.720 to his resurrection 00:31:19.720 --> 00:31:21.980 and then to the heavens 00:31:21.980 --> 00:31:23.819 where he sits at the right hand 00:31:23.819 --> 00:31:24.840 of the throne of God. 00:31:25.980 --> 00:31:27.120 If you're discouraged, 00:31:27.240 --> 00:31:27.779 be faithful 00:31:27.779 --> 00:31:29.840 and cast yourself on Jesus 00:31:29.840 --> 00:31:30.980 and he will help you. 00:31:31.400 --> 00:31:32.240 Share your burdens 00:31:32.240 --> 00:31:33.380 with your fellow Christians. 00:31:34.039 --> 00:31:34.740 Get involved 00:31:34.740 --> 00:31:36.440 in ministry here at Trinity. 00:31:36.920 --> 00:31:37.559 Link arms 00:31:37.559 --> 00:31:38.799 and fellowship with others 00:31:38.799 --> 00:31:40.639 and Christ will lift you up. 00:31:41.859 --> 00:31:43.680 And if you find yourself now 00:31:43.680 --> 00:31:44.359 like you are 00:31:44.359 --> 00:31:47.299 not much like this disobedient leper, 00:31:48.039 --> 00:31:49.659 if you've been cleansed by Jesus 00:31:49.659 --> 00:31:51.019 but have stumbled on the way, 00:31:51.680 --> 00:31:53.619 if you have fallen into sin, 00:31:54.399 --> 00:31:55.419 remember that Christ 00:31:55.419 --> 00:31:56.759 is still your Savior 00:31:56.759 --> 00:31:58.139 and we are still your brethren 00:31:58.139 --> 00:32:00.399 and turn to Jesus 00:32:00.399 --> 00:32:01.919 for life again. 00:32:01.920 --> 00:32:04.180 And if you're sitting here 00:32:04.180 --> 00:32:04.680 this morning 00:32:04.680 --> 00:32:06.060 and you do not know Jesus, 00:32:06.960 --> 00:32:08.180 go to him today. 00:32:09.160 --> 00:32:10.120 Fall before him 00:32:10.120 --> 00:32:11.120 and say, 00:32:11.200 --> 00:32:11.480 Lord, 00:32:11.740 --> 00:32:13.160 if you are willing, 00:32:13.279 --> 00:32:14.279 you can make me clean 00:32:14.279 --> 00:32:16.940 and he will reach out to you 00:32:16.940 --> 00:32:17.860 and touch you 00:32:17.860 --> 00:32:19.080 just like he did 00:32:19.080 --> 00:32:19.720 for this leper. 00:32:21.200 --> 00:32:21.920 Let's pray together. 00:32:21.920 --> 00:32:22.440 together. 00:32:27.300 --> 00:32:28.019 Oh, Lord, 00:32:28.080 --> 00:32:28.820 we just read 00:32:28.820 --> 00:32:31.019 of your miraculous compassion 00:32:31.019 --> 00:32:32.400 with that man with leprosy 00:32:32.400 --> 00:32:33.860 and, Lord, 00:32:33.940 --> 00:32:34.539 we confess 00:32:34.539 --> 00:32:35.640 that we are all unclean 00:32:35.640 --> 00:32:36.300 before you 00:32:36.300 --> 00:32:37.320 and we ask that 00:32:37.320 --> 00:32:40.800 you would reach out your hand 00:32:40.800 --> 00:32:41.900 and touch our hearts 00:32:41.900 --> 00:32:43.140 and cleanse us. 00:32:43.940 --> 00:32:44.220 Lord, 00:32:44.259 --> 00:32:45.220 not only physically 00:32:45.220 --> 00:32:47.539 but also cleanse our despair 00:32:47.539 --> 00:32:48.360 and our loneliness 00:32:48.360 --> 00:32:49.680 and all that darkness 00:32:49.680 --> 00:32:50.539 we may have 00:32:50.539 --> 00:32:51.820 and give us that light 00:32:51.819 --> 00:32:52.200 of life 00:32:52.200 --> 00:32:53.240 that only comes from you, 00:32:53.319 --> 00:32:54.119 the light of the world. 00:32:54.779 --> 00:32:55.619 Lift up our faces 00:32:55.619 --> 00:32:56.740 to see you, God. 00:32:57.240 --> 00:32:58.599 Help us to submit ourselves 00:32:58.599 --> 00:32:59.679 to your word 00:32:59.679 --> 00:33:02.019 and to obey it 00:33:02.019 --> 00:33:03.179 and to put it into practice. 00:33:03.559 --> 00:33:04.779 Help us to repent 00:33:04.779 --> 00:33:05.579 where we fall 00:33:05.579 --> 00:33:06.720 and to forgive others 00:33:06.720 --> 00:33:08.439 and to help others 00:33:08.439 --> 00:33:09.500 carry their burdens, 00:33:10.039 --> 00:33:10.679 to love them 00:33:10.679 --> 00:33:11.659 like you love them. 00:33:12.139 --> 00:33:12.879 And we pray this 00:33:12.879 --> 00:33:13.659 in your mighty name, 00:33:13.740 --> 00:33:14.220 Lord Jesus. 00:33:15.779 --> 00:33:16.059 Amen.