From Isolation to Nearness: Jesus and the Cleansing of the Unclean
2025 Bible Plan: Week 8
In Leviticus 13, we find detailed instructions on how the Israelites were to handle those afflicted with leprous diseases. The chapter reveals a world where physical disease led to complete social and spiritual separation. Those deemed unclean were required to live outside the camp, isolated from their families and communities. They had to identify themselves as unclean whenever approaching others, warning people to stay away. It was a life of solitary confinement—without human touch, without connection.
Now, imagine what it must have been like when Jesus reached out and touched those with leprosy.
Jesus and the Leper: A Radical Act of Healing
In Mark 1, a man with leprosy approaches Jesus and begs Him, "If You are willing, You can make me clean." Moved with compassion, Jesus does the unthinkable—He touches him. Instead of Jesus becoming unclean, the leper is cleansed. With one touch, Jesus reverses the stigma, pain, and isolation. This act was not just about physical healing; it was a statement—Jesus is greater than the disease.
Then, in Luke 17, we see a different scene. Ten lepers stand at a distance and cry out for mercy. Jesus doesn’t touch them; instead, He tells them to go and show themselves to the priests. As they go, they are healed. One of them, a Samaritan—an outsider in every sense—returns to give thanks. Here, Jesus acts as the true High Priest, the One who sees beyond societal boundaries and religious divisions.
Jesus, Our High Priest: Cleansing Our Hidden Leprosy
In the Old Testament, only the high priest could declare someone clean after a careful examination. But in the Gospels, Jesus examines and cleanses as THE High Priest. His authority is not derived from temple rituals, but from being God Himself—the One who speaks, and the unclean are made whole.
Leprosy in Scripture is often a picture of sin—something that corrupts, isolates, and eats away at life. There are areas in our own lives, wounded places where sin has left its mark, places where shame festers. Sometimes, these broken places are more obvious to others than to ourselves. Yet, Jesus is not afraid of our diseased areas. He does not shy away from the unclean parts of our story. Instead, He invites us to draw near.
Nearness Brings Healing
James 4:8 reminds us:
“Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”
Our healing is found in proximity to Jesus. Just as lepers were restored in His presence, we are cleansed when we come close to Him. The command to cleanse our hands and purify our hearts is not a prerequisite to approaching Him—it happens in His nearness.
Where sin has left its mark, Jesus restores. Where shame has isolated, Jesus calls us back in. Where wounds have festered, Jesus speaks healing. Whether through the intimate touch of Mark 1 or the distant word of Luke 17, His power is greater than our brokenness.
The question is not whether Jesus is willing to cleanse us—it’s whether we are willing to come near.
In Leviticus 13, we find detailed instructions on how the Israelites were to handle those afflicted with leprous diseases. The chapter reveals a world where physical disease led to complete social and spiritual separation. Those deemed unclean were required to live outside the camp, isolated from their families and communities. They had to identify themselves as unclean whenever approaching others, warning people to stay away. It was a life of solitary confinement—without human touch, without connection.
Now, imagine what it must have been like when Jesus reached out and touched those with leprosy.
Jesus and the Leper: A Radical Act of Healing
In Mark 1, a man with leprosy approaches Jesus and begs Him, "If You are willing, You can make me clean." Moved with compassion, Jesus does the unthinkable—He touches him. Instead of Jesus becoming unclean, the leper is cleansed. With one touch, Jesus reverses the stigma, pain, and isolation. This act was not just about physical healing; it was a statement—Jesus is greater than the disease.
Then, in Luke 17, we see a different scene. Ten lepers stand at a distance and cry out for mercy. Jesus doesn’t touch them; instead, He tells them to go and show themselves to the priests. As they go, they are healed. One of them, a Samaritan—an outsider in every sense—returns to give thanks. Here, Jesus acts as the true High Priest, the One who sees beyond societal boundaries and religious divisions.
Jesus, Our High Priest: Cleansing Our Hidden Leprosy
In the Old Testament, only the high priest could declare someone clean after a careful examination. But in the Gospels, Jesus examines and cleanses as THE High Priest. His authority is not derived from temple rituals, but from being God Himself—the One who speaks, and the unclean are made whole.
Leprosy in Scripture is often a picture of sin—something that corrupts, isolates, and eats away at life. There are areas in our own lives, wounded places where sin has left its mark, places where shame festers. Sometimes, these broken places are more obvious to others than to ourselves. Yet, Jesus is not afraid of our diseased areas. He does not shy away from the unclean parts of our story. Instead, He invites us to draw near.
Nearness Brings Healing
James 4:8 reminds us:
“Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”
Our healing is found in proximity to Jesus. Just as lepers were restored in His presence, we are cleansed when we come close to Him. The command to cleanse our hands and purify our hearts is not a prerequisite to approaching Him—it happens in His nearness.
Where sin has left its mark, Jesus restores. Where shame has isolated, Jesus calls us back in. Where wounds have festered, Jesus speaks healing. Whether through the intimate touch of Mark 1 or the distant word of Luke 17, His power is greater than our brokenness.
The question is not whether Jesus is willing to cleanse us—it’s whether we are willing to come near.
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3 Comments
I’m living this out right now. A few weeks or a month ago I answered an alter call on Sunday morning. Since that day my life has changed drastically. My mind is not tormented with confusion, self doubt, fear, depression, anxiety, like before. Today and all the days since I’ve had an insane appetite for the word, prayer, and praise. My mind is transforming more everyday in peace and love for our Lord Jesus. His will is becoming my food His presence is my drink. I have been delivered from cigarettes, weed, and the need to hide from brain. Praise and Glory to the most high forever!
Wow Rich what a great testimony!
It’s happening differently in my life. The Spirit moved through the whole house on January 26th. I have told P-Ryan that God has sent me to Life church for a reason. I’m still not positive of
nThat reason. But ever since that service, distractions have come from everywhere into my life. It’s time to press in. Because the “dawn is breaking”.