Almighty Mercy

I – The Leper V 40a
a) The illness:
b) The illness in Jewish culture was a sign of God's judgment. Lev 13 & 14
c) The social connotation: they were removed and isolated.
d) The personal grievance: A leper was in a terrible physical, emotional and spiritual condition!
II – The Prayer: V 40b
a) The repetitive action: He came kneeling, beseeching and saying;
b) The humble and broken posture: If you wish you can make me clean: You have the power to cleanse me!
III – The Healer V 41-42
a) Moved with compassion: Jesus felt the tragedy of sin.
b) A powerful imagery:(He stretched His hands:Jesus touched Him:Jesus said to him)
c) Irresistible authority: “immediately the leprosy left him.."

• Cleansing and forgiveness is not gradual. I Jn 1:8-9
• God’s restoration is not meritorious I Jn 2:1
• Jesus declared him cleansed! Eph 2:8-9
  d) Jesus kept and honored the Law: vs 44 - Lev 14
  f) The leper disobeyed: V 45

For Mark, Jesus, not the Leper, is the subject of the story! Mk 1:1

1. Jesus' Unlimited Power: Ps 115:1
2. Forgiveness of sins:
3. The Gospel: Rom 5:1

• Stop running: you can’t escape the guilty voice of conscience
• Stop hiding: you can’t escape the filthy reality of sin’s presence
• Stop trying: you can’t stifle culpability with good works.
  Go to Jesus and beseech Him then: “if you are willing, you can make me clean."