Slices
Prepare
How does your faith-life feel? Nurtured? Weary? In a rut? Ask God to open your heart today to his refreshing, transforming spirit.
Bible passage
Jesus heals a man with leprosy
8 When Jesus came down from the mountainside, large crowds followed him. 2 A man with leprosy came and knelt before him and said, ‘Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.’
3 Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. ‘I am willing,’ he said. ‘Be clean!’ Immediately he was cleansed of his leprosy. 4 Then Jesus said to him, ‘See that you don’t tell anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the gift Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.’
The faith of the centurion
5 When Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, asking for help. 6 ‘Lord,’ he said, ‘my servant lies at home paralysed, suffering terribly.’
7 Jesus said to him, ‘Shall I come and heal him?’
8 The centurion replied, ‘Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. 9 For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, “Go,” and he goes; and that one, “Come,” and he comes. I say to my servant, “Do this,” and he does it.’
10 When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him, ‘Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith. 11 I say to you that many will come from the east and the west, and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. 12 But the subjects of the kingdom will be thrown outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
13 Then Jesus said to the centurion, ‘Go! Let it be done just as you believed it would.’ And his servant was healed at that moment.
Explore
Jesus descends the mountain. The crowds follow (v 1), hungry for more revolutionary teaching. What will Jesus say and do next?
Amazing! A man is healed of the disease that had been affecting not just his skin but his whole life. People affected by highly contagious skin diseases were isolated socially and were treated as unclean outcasts. Imagine living like that.
But Jesus has seen his faith (v 2). He allows the leprosy sufferer to stop before him. Jesus chooses to heal him with a touch. He doesn’t need to. But how precious Jesus’ touch would have felt! This man’s life is changing in every way. Jesus sends him to the priest for official recognition of his healing (vs 2–4). Recognition will restore his rights as a Jewish citizen. He can live among his community again. Accepted. Healed. Cleansed. Connected. This is God’s way of mercy and grace.
Then comes a centurion. A Gentile! A surprising person to recognise Jesus’ authority. He knows Jesus has only to order the sickness to depart and it will go. Jesus’ presence is not needed. Jesus is amazed at his faith (v 10).
The winds of change are blowing. Jesus heals as only God can. He mingles with unclean leprosy sufferers and Gentiles. All with faith are welcomed. Faith alone, not status or work, brings life. And the people of Israel are on notice to step up (vs 11,12).
Respond
Recall ways you have experienced God’s loving grace and mercy. What is one change today where your life could more fully reflect his?
Bible in a year
Read the Bible in a year: Numbers 8,9; Acts 16
Pray for Scripture Union
Pray for Trish and Becky from Mission Partner Impact in Bedfordshire as they deliver their Easter Experience event with a team of around 40 volunteers, performing for nearly 500 pupils and staff. Pray that the story of God’s love will have an impact on all involved.