Jesus didn't do any certificates in preaching and teaching. No, He spoke with authority because He was qualified to be the Son of God because He was born in the line of David, but more so, that He had great power. Power over people, sickness and nature. His miracles prove that He was the Son of God.
Here we read that this particular miracle took place infront of a very large number of people and it concerned a man with the most feared diseases in the ancient world - leprosy. Leprosy can be treated today, but in Jesus time, leprosy was like cancer is today. It effects the whole body and is clearly visible due to sores and ulcers and the nerve cells die, causing people to get hurt badly without even realizing, leading slowly to loss of limbs and eventually death. It meant you had to be isolated so that you didn't pass on the disease.
It is also significant because it represents the nature of sin. It effects the whole body as does sin. It's ugly as sin is to God. It's corrupting, like sin, and can corrupt other people.
This man risked approaching Jesus, coming in confidence that He wouldn't be driven away. He came and knelt in reverence calling Jesus Lord and Master. He asked with humility submitting to Jesus will. Andhe came in faith. He knew Jesus could do it if Jesus wanted to.
The outstanding thing here is that Jesus, showing His love to this man, touched his lepros body and healed Him with the words "be clean".
The healing was instant. Jesus didn't need to see the man again at a later date to see if he was completely better. Jesus has the power to heal the leper completely and instantly.
Jesus also has the ability to cleanse us of our sin... completely and instantly. Only Jesus can put us right, but we have to come to Jesus the same way this man did, with confidence, reverence, humility and faith.
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