How do you see Jesus?

A person you have an option to follow or your treasure.

Matthew 7:28-29 NLT

28 When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching
29 for he taught with real authority—quite unlike their teachers of religious law.

A man who has no choice in where he lives… most lepers lived in a secluded commune, completely dependent on people’s generosity.

A man who has no choice on what wears… discarded hand-me-downs, now crusted over with decaying flesh.

A man bound by society to herald the worst part of his existence… LEPER, UNCLEAN. HE HAD NO CHOICE! This is the guy that steps up in FAITH.

Matthew 8:2 NKJV

And behold, a leper came and worshiped Him, saying, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.”

1. Asking to be made clean shows the leper’s faith and understanding of God’s Word. Being right with God will take care of the leprosy.
2. How he saw Jesus gave him the courage to approach Him and ask.
3. Before there was the request for cleansing, there was worship and honor.

2 Kings 5:9-11 NLT

9 So Naaman went with his horses and chariots and waited at the door of Elisha’s house.
10 But Elisha sent a messenger out to him with this message: “Go and wash yourself seven times in the Jordan River. Then your skin will be restored, and you will be healed of your leprosy.”
11 But Naaman became angry and stalked away. “I thought he would certainly come out to meet me!” he said. “I expected him to wave his hand over the leprosy and call on the name of the Lord his God and heal me!

One of the greatest distractions to receiving our healing is it not happening our way.

Why 7 times and why the Jordan river? Why get offended with the simplicity of God’s Word.

Matthew 7:9-11 NLT

9 “You parents—if your children ask for a loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead?
10 Or if they ask for a fish, do you give them a snake? Of course not!
11 So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him.

Matthew 8:3 NKJV

Then Jesus put out His hand and touched him, saying, “I am willing; be cleansed.” Immediately his leprosy was cleansed.

Jesus is not your everyday charlatan or magical wizard.
He is God’s Son, moved with compassion on God’s people.
Why not lean in and ASK?

Matthew 8:4 NLT

Then Jesus said to him, “Don’t tell anyone about this. Instead, go to the priest and let him examine you. Take along the offering required in the law of Moses for those who have been healed of leprosy. This will be a public testimony that you have been cleansed.”

Romans 14:17-18 NLT

17 For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
18 If you serve Christ with this attitude, you will please God, and others will approve of you, too.

Now every impulse, appetite, motive, and desire go through the filter of God’s Word.
And if it’s inconvenient to do what He says, I go the extra mile and do what He says.

TIFAW

Jesus, my risen Lord and Messiah, is my treasure.

Because I see Him this way, I desire to understand and live by His Word.

As a result, I become a public testimony of God’s grace and love.