Healed in every way

SCRIPTURE:

Jesus sent him away at once with a strong warning: “See that you don’t tell this to anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them.” Instead he went out and began to talk freely, spreading the news. As a result, Jesus could no longer enter a town openly but stayed outside in lonely places. Yet the people still came to him from everywhere. Mark 1:43-45

OBSERVATION:

Right after the healing of the leper, the Lord practically drives him away but gives him three specific instructions. Firstly, he is not to tell others about the miracle. Secondly, he is to show himself to a priest. Thirdly, he is to offer the sacrifices Moses commanded for his cleansing.  

Time and again, the Lord frequently tried to stop those he healed from spreading the news about their healing. However, again and again, those healed seemed to be unable to contain themselves and spread the news freely, resulting in Jesus not being able to enter a town openly.

Most of us take for granted the space and anonymity that we have as we go about living our everyday lives. However, the superstars and famous people of the world quickly find out that their fame comes with a terrible prize – the fanatical crowds of fans that seem to stalk them. The more famous a star, the greater the chaos, the screaming, and frenzy wherever he or she goes. Several bodyguards and even a police escort may be necessary for such a famous person to enter a public area.

For the Lord as well, this problem of crowd frenzy was also very real, so much so, that even in the lonely places, people still came to Him from everywhere. This was made worse by the fact that the Jews would automatically speculate that he was the Messiah and could even try and make him king by force which was not his objective at this first time of coming.

Now we see that many people would glory and bask in the adoration of the masses. Great kings of the past like Nebuchadnezzar, the Pharaohs and the Roman emperors had egos so large that they would command the masses to worship them even as gods. However, in striking contrast, we see the behavior of the Lord was the complete opposite. Gentle and humble, the Lord did not seek the praise of the masses, but throughout his ministry sought to do God’s will in healing, teaching and preaching the good news. The Lord’s motive was always clear – to please God rather than men.

The second and third instructions had to do with the restoration of the leper to public life. By showing himself to the priest to prove his healing, and offering the required sacrifices according to the Mosaic law, the leper would then be reinstituted into society, able to go to the temple to worship, and others would no longer be afraid to touch him or even go near him. We see here the practical side of the Lord’s love in not only healing the man physically, but also spiritually and socially.  

APPLICATION:

We need to learn from the Lord’s example not to value the approval or adoration of man, but rather to focus on doing what pleases God. On the outside, we may think it is great to be famous and adored, but in reality it will only lead to emptiness and meaninglessness, as even the greatest, most famous king of Israel, Solomon, discovered. Simply living humble lives finding pleasure in God, our families and our work is already enough to have a rich, fulfilled life.  

Thank the Lord that He came to save and heal us completely, not just physically, but spiritually, emotionally, mentally, socially, in every way. It is His will that we be whole and complete in Him.

PRAYER:

We praise You and worship You and thank You, Lord, for Your great love. We thank You, Lord Jesus, that You did not come to be served but to serve us and give Your life as a ransom for many. Because You humbled Yourself Lord, You are exalted far above every name, and there is no other name under Heaven by which we can be saved. We praise You and worship You and adore You, and thank You for the amazing pleasure and joy that it gives us to praise You for Your greatness, Your mercy, Your love. Turn our hearts away from meaningless things and help us not seek the approval or adoration of man, but instead seek to please You and our beloved Father in Heaven. Guide us O Lord, according to Your perfect paths, and bestow upon us humility and wisdom to live our short lives on earth. We thank You too, precious Lord, that You healing is perfect, and Your will for us so blessed, that we might be whole in every way. May Your great name be praised and magnified forever in us we pray. In Jesus name, Amen