The Leper’s Prayer

(Leviticus 14:1–32; Matthew 8:1–4; Luke 5:12–16)

40 Then a leper[fn] came to [Jesus], begging and kneeling before Him[fn] and saying to Him: “If You are willing, You can make me clean.”

41 Moved with compassion,[fn] Jesus reached out His hand [and] touched [the man]. “I am willing,” He said. “Be clean!” 42 And when He had said this,[fn] immediately the leprosy left him, and [the man] was cleansed.

43 [Jesus] promptly sent him away with a stern warning: 44 “See that you don’t tell [anyone]. But go, show yourself to the priest and present the offering Moses prescribed for your cleansing, as a testimony to them.”[fn]

45 But the [man] went out [and] openly began to proclaim and spread the news.

Consequently, Jesus could no longer enter a town in plain view, but He stayed out in solitary places. Yet [people] came to Him from every quarter.