Leper Healed
159
Saviour of the world, to whom all things were possible. None could
perform such miracles but Him who was authorized of God, and the
leper longed to come into his presence and be healed.
He had not intended to approach near enough to endanger the
people; but now his mind was so powerfully wrought upon that he
forgot the restrictions that had been placed upon him, the safety of the
people, and the horror with which they regarded him. He thought only
of his blessed hope that the power of Jesus could set him free from his
infirmity. His faith laid hold of the Saviour, and he pressed forward,
heedless of the frightened multitude that fell back as he approached
and crowded over and upon each other to avoid him.
Some thought to prevent him from approaching Jesus, but their
efforts were in vain. He neither saw nor heard them. The expressions
of loathing and looks of horror that greeted his appearance were lost
upon him. He saw only the Son of God, he heard only the voice that
was giving health and happiness to the suffering and unfortunate. As
he came before Jesus, his pent-up feelings found vent, he prostrated
his foul, decaying body before him, crying out, “Lord, if thou wilt,
[229]
thou canst make me clean.” His words were few, but comprehended
his great need. He believed that Christ was able to give him life and
health.
Jesus did not shrink from his approach, but drew near him. The
people fell back, and even the disciples were filled with terror, and
would fain have prevented their Master from touching him; for by the
law of Moses he who touched a leper was himself unclean. But Jesus,
with calm fearlessness, laid his hand upon the supplicant and answered
his petition with the magic words, “Be thou clean!”
No sooner were these life-giving words spoken than the dying
body of corruption was changed to a being of healthy flesh, sensitive
nerves, and firm muscle. The rough, scaly surface peculiar to leprosy
was gone, and a soft glow, like that upon the skin of a healthy child,
appeared in its place. The eager multitude now lose their terror, and
crowd around to behold this new manifestation of divine power.
Jesus charged the cleansed leper not to make known the work he
had wrought upon him, saying, “See thou say nothing to any man;
but go thy way, shew thyself to the priest, and offer for thy cleansing
those things which Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them.”
Accordingly the now happy man went to the same priests who had