THE POWER OF JESUS’ TOUCH

The Gospel of Mark #6

Pastor Dennis Clanton

Woodland Church

Wednesday, November 9, 2022

(Mark 1:40–45, NLT) “A man with leprosy came and knelt in front of Jesus, begging to be healed. “If you are willing, you can heal me and make me clean,” he said. Moved with compassion, Jesus reached out and touched him. “I am willing,” he said. “Be healed!” Instantly the leprosy disappeared, and the man was healed. Then Jesus sent him on his way with a stern warning: “Don’t tell anyone about this. Instead, go to the priest and let him examine you. Take along the offering required in the law of Moses for those who have been healed of leprosy. This will be a public testimony that you have been cleansed.” But the man went and spread the word, proclaiming to everyone what had happened. As a result, large crowds soon surrounded Jesus, and he couldn’t publicly enter a town anywhere. He had to stay out in the secluded places, but people from everywhere kept coming to him.”

1. JESUS WAS THE LAST HOPE OF THIS MAN.

The biggest disease today is not leprosy or cancer. It’s the feeling of being uncared for, unwanted-of being deserted and alone. -Mother Teresa

(Mark 1:40a, NLT) “A man with leprosy came and knelt in front of Jesus, begging to be healed.”

Leprosy destroys the body’s system for communicating pain.

Leprosy is a hopeless social disease.

Leprosy destroys your finances.

(Leviticus 13:45–46, NLT) “Those who suffer from a serious skin disease must tear their clothing and leave their hair uncombed. They must cover their mouth and call out, ‘Unclean! Unclean!’ As long as the serious disease lasts, they will be ceremonially unclean. They must live in isolation in their place outside the camp.”

2. RECOGNIZE AND BE ASSURED THAT GOD IS WILLING.

(Mark 1:40b, NLT)  “If you are willing, you can heal me and make me clean.”

(2 Peter 3:9, NLT) “The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.”

A. Sin defiles and incapacitates.

B. Sin causes distance and breakdown of relationships.

C. Sin results in loneliness.

D. Sin has no human cure.

3. JESUS’ TOUCH CLEANSES AND HEALS.

(Mark 1:41a, NLT)  “Moved with compassion, Jesus reached out and touched him.”

Compassion carries risk.

(Leviticus 14:14–18, NLT) “The priest will order that one bird be slaughtered over a clay pot filled with fresh water. He will take the live bird… dip them into the blood of the bird that was slaughtered over the fresh water. The priest will then sprinkle the blood of the dead bird seven times on the person being purified of the skin disease. When the priest has purified the person, he will release the live bird in the open field to fly away. … The priest will then take some of the blood of the guilt offering and apply it to the lobe of the right ear, the thumb of the right hand, and the big toe of the right foot of the person being purified. “Then the priest will pour some of the olive oil … apply some of the oil in his palm over the blood from the guilt offering that is on the lobe of the right ear, the thumb of the right hand, and the big toe of the right foot of the person being purified. The priest will apply the oil remaining in his hand to the head of the person being purified. Through this process, the priest will purify the person before the Lord.”

The bird killed over a pot of water – Jesus’ incarnation and death.

The bird stained with blood and released – Jesus’ resurrection.

The blood applied to man’s right ear – God’s Word.

Right Thumb – God’s Work.

Right Big Toe – God’s Walk.

The Oil Symbolizes the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit cannot come upon us until our sins have been cleansed by the blood of Christ.

4. JESUS’ TOUCH RESTORES US.

(Mark 1:41b-42, NLT)  “I am willing,” he said. “Be healed!” Instantly the leprosy disappeared, and the man was healed.”

5. DON’T BE DISOBEDIENT BY TRYING TO OUTHINK JESUS.

(Mark 1:43–44, NLT)  “Then Jesus sent him on his way with a stern warning: “Don’t tell anyone about this. Instead, go to the priest and let him examine you. Take along the offering required in the law of Moses for those who have been healed of leprosy. This will be a public testimony that you have been cleansed.”