GW Bible Study - Cleansed and Restored: The Power of Jesus' Touch
Context: This Bible Study was given at George Washington University on September 6, 2024.
Luke 5:12–16 (ESV)
12 While he was in one of the cities, there came a man full of leprosy. And when he saw Jesus, he fell on his face and begged him, “Lord, if you will, you can make me clean.” 13 And Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, “I will; be clean.” And immediately the leprosy left him. 14 And he charged him to tell no one, but “go and show yourself to the priest, and make an offering for your cleansing, as Moses commanded, for a proof to them.” 15 But now even more the report about him went abroad, and great crowds gathered to hear him and to be healed of their infirmities. 16 But he would withdraw to desolate places and pray.
Introduction
Hello It's great to see so many familiar faces and some new ones too. Whether you're juggling classes at Georgetown, interning on Capitol Hill, or pulling all-nighters at GW, I'm glad you've made time to be here today.
Let's dive into a powerful story from Luke 5:12-16. It's a story about a man with leprosy, but more importantly, it's about Jesus' power to cleanse and restore.
The Leper's Plea
Imagine walking down M Street in Georgetown. The sidewalks are bustling with students, tourists, and professionals. Now imagine seeing someone covered in sores, their skin discolored and disfigured. People are recoiling, creating a wide berth around this person. This is similar to what it would have been like to encounter a leper in Jesus' time.
In our story, a man "full of leprosy" approaches Jesus. Now, leprosy wasn't just a physical ailment. It was a social and spiritual death sentence. Lepers were isolated, considered unclean, and treated as the living dead. Think about how we treated COVID patients in the early days of the pandemic, but much, much worse.
This man falls before Jesus and begs, "Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean." Notice he doesn't say "heal me," but "make me clean." The Greek word used here is "katharisai," which means to purify or cleanse. This man wasn't just seeking physical healing; he was longing for total restoration - to God, to his community, to his family.
Jesus' Compassionate Response
Now, here's where it gets really interesting. Jesus does something shocking. He reaches out and touches the man. In that culture, touching a leper would make you unclean. It would be like walking into a COVID ward without any PPE at the height of the pandemic. But Jesus doesn't hesitate.
He says, "I am willing. Be clean." And immediately, the leprosy left him.
The Deeper Meaning
This story isn't just about physical healing. It's about restoration from the effects of sin. Leprosy, in the Bible, often serves as a metaphor for sin. Like leprosy, sin isolates us. It separates us from God and from others.
Think about how sin operates in your life. Maybe it's that habit you can't kick, that relationship you know isn't healthy, or that lie you've been living. Sin has a way of making us feel isolated, unclean, unworthy of love and connection.
But here's the good news: Jesus is willing to cleanse us. He's not just able; he's willing. And his cleansing isn't just about making us "better people." It's about fully restoring us to relationship with God and with others.
The Cost of Cleansing
After cleansing the leper, Jesus tells him to go show himself to the priest. This was necessary for the man to be officially declared clean and welcomed back into society. It's like getting your COVID test results before being allowed back on campus.
But here's the kicker: the passage ends with Jesus withdrawing to desolate places. He and the leper essentially traded places. Jesus took on the isolation that the leper had experienced.
This foreshadows what Jesus would ultimately do on the cross. He took our place, bearing our sin and its consequences, so that we could be cleansed and restored.
Application
So what does this mean for us today?
Jesus has the power to cleanse us from sin. Whatever you're struggling with - be it addiction, pride, lust, or anything else - Jesus has the power to cleanse you.
Jesus is willing to restore anyone. Maybe you feel like that leper - isolated, unclean, unworthy. Know that Jesus is willing to touch you, to cleanse you, to restore you.
Restoration is free, but it came at a cost. Jesus offers cleansing freely, but remember, it cost him everything.
We're called to touch the untouchables. Just as Jesus touched the leper, we're called to reach out to those society deems unclean or unworthy.
Conclusion:
As we wrap up, I want you to think about areas in your life where you need cleansing and restoration. Maybe it's a relationship that needs healing, a habit that needs breaking, or a wound that needs touching.
Jesus is willing. He's reaching out his hand to you right now. Will you let him touch you? Will you let him cleanse you? Will you let him restore you?
Let's pray.
