Matthew 8:2-4

² And see, a man with leprosy came to him and was kneeling before him, saying, “Lord, if you want to, you can make me clean.”

³ And Jesus reached out his hand and touched him, saying, “I do want to; be clean.” And immediately his leprosy was cleansed.

⁴ And Jesus said to him, “Make sure that you say nothing to anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a proof to them.” _________________________________________

The Sky Kingdom and the purpose for healing

Jesus heals today, and he does it for the same reasons that he did it when he walked around in Palestine. He heals because he wants us to be clean. He does not desire us to suffer the impurity, pain and shame of illness or injury. He cares about those who are hurting.

He also heals because he wants to restore us to God’s original plan for our lives, which is disrupted by sin and its consequences. He wants to restore us to our communities and families. He told the man who had been isolated by leprosy to go to his priest and get certified as cleansed. That was the only way for him to be reintroduced to his synagogue – to be restored to his community.

He also heals as a witness to his existence and power. The man who had so obviously been afflicted with a destructive disease became evidence of who and what Jesus is. You and I are evidence as well. Our past lives are evidence of our brokenness. Our restoration is evidence of our healer.

LORD, give us the faith to be healed, cleansed and restored, and my our healing serve to honor you, testifying of your existence and grace.