Read: Luke 5:12-16.
Explore:
1. To identify with the man in this story, you must have some understanding of his disease, leprosy. Leprosy is a skin disease. It starts with lesions forming on the skin, and in its advanced stages it was extremely painful, led to gross disfigurement, loss of limbs, and eventually death. There was no cure for leprosy. Therefore, the medical community offered no hope to this man. Because leprosy was highly contagious, everyone feared this disease. For that reason, those with leprosy were banned from their community. They lost their families, homes, jobs, and their entire future. The psychological pain of this disease was, perhaps, greater than the physical pain. Put yourself in this man’s place for a few moments. What do you think his typical day was like? What thoughts do you suppose ran through his mind before he went to sleep at night? What do you think his emotional state was like?
2. Now that you have identified with this man, read verse 12 again. When he saw Jesus, he bowed before him, putting his face on the ground and begged Jesus to heal him. What, if anything, does this tell you about this man?
3. This man knew Jesus could heal him. His only question was whether or not Jesus would heal him. Jesus could heal him, and this man was asking to be healed. So, can you think of any reasons why Jesus wouldn’t be willing to heal this man?
4. This man asked Jesus to heal him and make him clean. Those are two different things. Lepers were ostracized, not only because they were contagious, but also, according to Jewish law they were considered ceremonially unclean. Lepers were seen as a source of defilement. For this reason, they were only allowed to come in contact with other lepers. But, this man took a chance and approached Jesus and asked to not only be healed, he asked Jesus to restore his life.
5. Read verse 13. Jesus was willing! What do you think this man felt when he heard Jesus say, “I am willing”? Is there anyway this man could have known that Jesus was willing if he hadn’t asked?
6. Jesus healed this man even though his leprosy was in an advanced state. The lesions disappeared. His skin returned to its normal shade. Any limbs he might have lost were completely, immediately restored. His appearance was altered. He looked like himself again. His pain was gone! His nightmare was over!
7. Look at verse 14. Why do think Jesus told this man not to tell anyone what had happened?
8. Jesus told this man to visit the priest. In Leviticus 14:1-32 the Bible explains the process lepers must go through to prove they have been healed and, therefore should be allowed to reenter society. Jesus instructed this man to start this process immediately. To this man, it meant that he was about 8 days away from get his life back. How do you think that made him feel?
9. Read verse 15. In spite of Jesus instructions, this man (Mark 1:45) told people what had happened. Why do you suppose he did that?
10. Read verse 16. Why do you think that verse was included in this story?
Reflect:
11. Now that you have read and explored this story, what have you learned about Jesus, and what practical lessons have you learned?
Apply:
12. In light of what you’ve learned, what step of action do you feel you must take?
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