Message For Messengers

Turning Miseries Into Milestones ( Luke 5:12-15)
Man's withered hopes are resurrected at His touch, and the leprous breath of all unclean, made sweet by His grace. He can turn the dolorous cry “Unclean” into joyful songs of praise. Wherever the presence of Jesus Christ is, there is “the power of God”. Notice here:-
1) Miserable Condition ( Verse 12) “ A man full of leprosy” His terrible disease had reached its final stage, he was now full of leprosy. Like sin, this loathsome malady may work slowly, but its course is irresistible and deadly. It poisons the blood and so the whole physical being becomes polluted. This dreadful disease makes a man insensitive. A spiritual leper, a person who is living in sin becomes insensitive to the consequences of sin and to the conviction of the Holy Spirit. It is the nature of the disease to spread all over and so also with sin. This disease disfigures a man and so also with sin. A man living in sin is a man dead to God, and disinherited of Heaven's love and peace.
2) InspiringRevelation ( Verse 12) “ Who seeing Jesus” Seeing Jesus will never fail to awaken hope in the darkened sin-crushed heart. He had doubtless heard of Christ's mighty works, without ever uttering a prayer, but now those dull despairing eyes suddenly brighten with a new light as he gaze upon the living Person of the merciful wonder Worker. What a contrast here between the Man full of compassion and the man full of leprosy, between a seeking Saviour and seeking sinner. The result of that inspiring revelation is indeed remarkable.
3) Humble position ( Verse 12) “He fell on his face” Seeing the face of God always makes us hide our own. It is the outward expression of a deep inward conviction. It was so with Isaiah ( Ch.6), with Job ( Ch 42:5,6), with Peter ( Luke 5:8) and with John ( Rev 1:17). Only the lip professing Pharisees stand afar off. But here this man, this leper fell on his face.
4) Earnest Petition (Verse 12) “Lord, if thou wilt, Thou canst make me clean” The prayer of this poor outcast was to the point and really earnest. This prayer reveals two things.
(i) A knowledge of the character of Christ. Out of this knowledge springs up an intelligent faith in His power. “If Thou wilt, Thou canst”. To doubt His divinity and almightiness is to knock on a locked door.
(ii) The one burning desire of the leper. “ To be made clean”. He frankly confesses his need and pleads for personal cleansing.
5) Instant and perfect Salvation ( Verse 13) “He put forth His hand, and touched him saying, I will: be thou clean. And immediately the leprosy departed from him.” Every miracle is linked on to the “I will” of Jesus Christ. All the resources of the God head are in His assuring words and atoning touch of Christ. This man experienced complete deliverance.
6) Special commission ( Verse 14) “Go and show thyself unto the priest…” He no longer need to go to an earthly priest for atonement when Jesus Christ was Himself an atonement remedy for his sin. Now he has to go to a priest only for a testimony unto them. Go, show thyself, if so be, that thyself hath experienced His perfect cleansing from the power of sin. Every saved and cleansed soul should be a testimony unto Him.