Matthew 8:1–4 (ESV)
Jesus Cleanses a Leper
8 When
he came down from the mountain, great crowds followed him. 2 And behold, a leper came to him and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, if you will, you can make me clean.” 3 And Jesus
stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, “I will; be clean.” And immediately his leprosy was cleansed. 4 And Jesus said to him, “See 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.”
Cleansing the leper is the first of 10 miracles that Jesus performs in chs 8–9.
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus had demonstrated His teaching authority (7:29). Jesus uses that same divine authority in working miracles. His miracles are signs that anticipate the day when every disease and even death itself will be no more (Rv 21:4).
Then, as forgiven sinners, we will rejoice with all those who have been cleansed.
I pray: Precious Savior, heal me. Fill me with anticipation for that day when You will heal every illness. Amen.
Engelbrecht, E. A. (2009). The
Lutheran Study Bible (p. 1594). St. Louis, MO: Concordia Publishing House.