The person with such an infectious disease must wear torn clothes, let his hair be unkempt, cover the lower part of his face and cry out, "Unclean! Unclean!" As long as he has the infection he remains unclean. He must live alone; he must live outside the camp (Lev. 13:45-26, NIV).Two things jump out at me. First, they must live alone, that is to say, they cannot be a part of the community. Second, they must live outside the camp, that is to say, they have no part in the people of God. The physical illness points to a deeper spiritual reality. People in their natural state cannot approach God. They are alone and cut off. Just as the leper had to seek cleansing through a mediator (the priests), so, too, we approach Jesus the Mediator, to find cleansing.
As we witness Jesus interacting with the man, we learn a lot about Jesus. We learn that Jesus is compassionate, willing, and able. Although these truths seem so well known, we forget them on a practical level. Let's look at the man's request, Jesus' response, and the rest of the story.
The Man's Request
Disregarding Mosaic Law and social convention, this unnamed man approaches Jesus. In spite of the seeming impropriety, the man approaches with the right attitude. Three things stick out in his approach. First, note the humility. Mark states that he begged Jesus "on his knees." Next, note his desperation. He "begged" Jesus. Finally, note his confidence in Jesus. He states, "If you are willing, you can make me clean." There is no question in his mind that Jesus is capable of healing him.
In Mark 9:21-22, we see an interaction between Jesus and the father of a boy possessed by a demon. The man said to Jesus, "But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us." Jesus responded, "'If you can?' Everything is possible for him who believes." In Mark 9, Jesus rebuked the father's lack of faith. He did not rebuke the leper. He affirmed him.
Jesus' Response
Mark states, "Filled with compassion, Jesus reached out and touched the man." It is easy to miss the significance of what Jesus did. This man wasn't supposed to get near another person, yet Jesus reached out and touched him. It may have been the first time in a long time that anyone had shown this man such tenderness. Jesus' compassion worked itself out in a practical way.
The man knew that his healing hinged on Jesus' willingness. The man was confident that Jesus could heal him. However, he was uncertain as to whether or not Jesus would want to help him. Many of us approach God with the same question in mind. Is God willing? Jesus said, "I am willing!"
Confidence with Jesus' ability should strengthen our confidence in his willingness. He has given many great and precious promises. He calls us to ask of him. He continually demonstrates throughout Scripture and history that he is willing to help those who seek him. This account is no different. Jesus makes the man clean with a word. He is still willing to cleanse those who come to him in repentance and faith.
The Rest of the Story
Just as in the gospel, this story contains an exchange. Jesus walks in the leper's sandals, so to speak. Although Jesus doesn't become unclean, he experiences the leper's separation and loneliness. Because of the leper's disobedience, Jesus must remain outside the town in lonely places. I am reminded of what Paul said, "God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God" (2 Cor. 5:21, NIV).
As the author of Hebrews said,
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are--yet without sin. Let us then approach him with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need (Heb. 4:15-16, NIV).Jesus invites us to approach him with boldness. If people will seek him while he may be found, they will make the same discovery the leper did: Jesus is still compassionate, willing, and able.
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