A Study of Matthew 8:1-4

When he came down from the mountainside, large crowds followed him. A man with leprosy came and knelt before him and said, "Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean. Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man, "I am willing," he said. "Be clean!" Immediately he was cured of his leprosy. Then Jesus said to him, "See that you don’t tell anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the gift Moses commanded as a testimony to them. (Matthew 8:1-4)

Often Christians look at God as one who grudgingly gives gifts to his children. Nothing could be further from the truth. The Scripture portrays a more precise image of our God. Romans 8:32: He who did not spare His own son, but gave him up for us all-how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things. Psalm 84:11b states, No good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless.

In Matthew 8:1-4 a leper approaches Jesus after the Sermon on the Mount. Leprosy was the dreaded disease of that day. One diagnosed with leprosy was unclean and was not allowed to live with the rest of his village.

The leper says to Jesus as he kneels before him, "Lord, if you are willing you can make me clean." In sickness or any other arena of life, it is wise to seek God first. Jehoshaphat counseled Ahab before engaging the enemy, "First seek the counsel of God (II Chronicles 18:4). King Asa was afflicted with a severe disease in his feet. The Scripture reports in II Chronicles 16:12, Though his disease was severe, even in his illness he did not seek help from the Lord, but only from the physicians.

God has wisdom for every situation in life. The medical system of today is a result of the revelation knowledge given by God to those in that field. But some have died in their illness because they sought the physicians only and did not seek God. In your trial, whether it be sickness or something else, seek God first. Go to the highest power available.

The leper said, "If you are willing…." Gloria Copeland has said, "faith begins when the will of God is known." Many stumble at this point. They wonder, "Is it really God’s will to heal me?" To stand in faith for healing you must determine that it is God’s will for you to live in health.

The Bible is replete with references to the God’s will in the area of healing. Let us examine several.

1. Exodus 15:26-He said, "If you listen carefully to the voice of the Lord your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord, who heals you."

God revealed himself in this verse as Jehovah Rophe, the Lord our Healer. From his earliest dealing with his people, God made a way for his people to walk in health.

2. Exodus 23:25-26-Worship the Lord your God, and his blessing will be on your food and water. I will take away sickness from among you, and none will miscarry or be barren in your land. I will give you a full life span.