[0:00] Well, good morning and welcome to our service this morning.! It's good to see so many here on a beautiful morning after the day we had yesterday. Just a couple of changes to the intimations.
[0:14] There will be no fellowship this evening due to the wake of Angus McSween in the Church of Scotland at 8 o'clock. And as was intimated, there is Sunday school for primary school age and preschool age children through in the hall after the second singing.
[0:33] I think that's all the changes. We'll begin our worship of God this morning singing in Psalm 27. Psalm 27 and we'll sing the first five verses.
[0:46] The Lord's my light and saving health, who shall make me dismayed. My life strength is the Lord of whom then shall I be afraid. When as my enemies and foes, most wicked persons all, to eat my flesh against me rose, they stumbled and did fall.
[1:00] Against me though I'm host and camp, my heart yet fearless is. The war against me rise, I will be confident in this. One thing I of the Lord desired and will seek to obtain that all days of my life I may within God's house remain.
[1:16] That I, the beauty of the Lord, behold me and admire. And that I in his holy place may reverently inquire. For he and his pavilion shall me hide in evil days. In secret of his tent me hide.
[1:28] And on a rock me raise. We'll stand to sing to God's praise. The Lord's my light and saving health, who shall make me dismayed.
[1:55] My life's tent is the Lord of whom then shall I be afraid.
[2:13] When does mine enemies and foes, most wicked persons all, to lead my flesh against me rose, They stumble not in fall.
[2:47] Against me no one goes and camp, my heart yet fearless is.
[3:05] No one against me rise. I will be confident in this.
[3:23] One thing I of the Lord desire and will seek to obtain.
[3:39] That all days of my life I may within God's hands remain.
[3:56] That I, the beauty of the Lord, behold me and admire.
[4:15] And that I in his holy place may reverently inquire.
[4:33] For he and his pavilion shall me hide in evil days.
[4:51] In secret of his tent me hide. And on a rock me raise.
[5:09] Let us now come before God in prayer. Let us pray. Let us pray. Our gracious and our blessed Lord, we thank you that we can come into your presence this morning.
[5:25] That we can draw aside from the things of the world. And that we come into your presence. And acknowledge that you are indeed a holy God. A God of love.
[5:36] A God of truth. A God of protection and a God of comfort. And that we can come to you this morning with all our prayers, all our petitions.
[5:47] Bringing them to you, knowing that you are a God that hears and answers prayer. As children we were taught our Father who art in heaven.
[6:00] And as we come before you this morning, we do indeed acknowledge that you are over all things. And we pray, Heavenly Father, that as we come and acknowledge who you are, that we would indeed acknowledge that we must come and bow before you.
[6:21] That we must be able to lay aside all the thoughts of this world. And come into your presence and be still before you this morning. We come from different homes, from different backgrounds.
[6:34] That, Heavenly Father, we come before one God. The living and the true God. Your word teaches us, Heavenly Father, how we must glorify and enjoy you forever.
[6:50] That we are taught, Heavenly Father, in the Old and the New Testament. How you are a God of love. That you are also a God of judgment. And how you sent your Son, Jesus, into this world for each and every one of us.
[7:07] That we can indeed come and we can call out, behold, the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world. And we pray that as we come this morning, that we would indeed acknowledge that today.
[7:22] That Jesus came into the world to take away our sin. Not just the sin of the person sitting on our right or on our left. That he came to take away our sin.
[7:35] And we pray that as we come into your presence this morning, that we would indeed acknowledge that. And that we would not be afraid to tell others. Who Jesus is.
[7:48] And why he came. And as we come this morning, Heavenly Father, we recognize. That as a community, once again we have been shown that here we have no continuing city.
[8:04] That we are just passing through. And we bring before you the Morrison family and the McSween family. We pray, Heavenly Father, for them. That they would indeed know your comfort at this time.
[8:19] That they would know, Heavenly Father, your blessing. And we pray, Heavenly Father, that they would know your upholding. And that we would continue to remember them in prayer at this time.
[8:33] That as we come, Heavenly Father, and as we acknowledge that death is indeed there for each and every one of us. We also come this morning and we rejoice at the birth of Angus Alistair MacLeod.
[8:48] We pray for Scott and Fiona. And for Katie and Lily. That, Heavenly Father, as they welcome a new son and brother into their home. That they would indeed know the blessing that he will bring.
[9:03] And that your hand would be upon him. And that, Heavenly Father, that he would grow in wisdom. That he would grow in stature. That he would grow to know and to love you as his Lord and as his Saviour.
[9:17] To be with them as a family on this day. Have your protection upon them. And we pray, Heavenly Father, that they would indeed, as they have been blessed, be able to share that blessing with others.
[9:30] We thank you, Heavenly Father, on this day that we can come. In our calendars we see that it is Mothering Sunday. And we thank you, Heavenly Father, for all the mothers here this morning.
[9:45] We pray for each one of them. We pray, Heavenly Father, that as they guide and as they teach, that you would indeed bless them. That you would uphold them.
[9:57] As they pray for their young ones. And we recognise, Heavenly Father, that there are some here as parents that are older. But they still have the same prayers. They still carry the same burdens.
[10:10] And we also recognise, Heavenly Father, that for some it is a difficult day. And we pray at this time that they would know your comfort. That they would know your upholding.
[10:23] But most of all, Heavenly Father, that they would know that you have promised. That you will never leave them. Nor forsake them. So as we remember and give thanks for mothers.
[10:36] We pray, Heavenly Father, that for the children here. That as they grow up in homes with their parents. Desire to take them to church. To learn more about you.
[10:49] That they would know what it is to honour their parents. And to love them. And to love the God that they seek to bring to them. And to love them. So, Heavenly Father, we pray that as we gather this morning.
[11:05] That we would indeed be thankful for every good and perfect gift that you give to us. Remember our minister at this time away from us. We pray for him as he preaches in Greyfriars this morning.
[11:19] As they come to the table there. That they would indeed know your blessing. As they seek to fulfil your command. To remember your death until you come. We thank you for Ian McCritchie's ministry there.
[11:35] And we pray, Heavenly Father, that as they gather together. That you would indeed bless them. And that you would bless the ministry of your word there. And as David then goes on holiday, we pray for himself and Mary and for the girls.
[11:49] That all that is before them in the coming week. That they would find time to rest. And be, Heavenly Father, prepared for coming back to minister amongst us here.
[12:01] That you would uphold them. That you would comfort them. That you would refresh them and that you would equip them. For them. We thank you for the ministry amongst us here.
[12:13] For all that we have learnt. For all that we have heard. And we pray, Heavenly Father, that as that word has been sown into our hearts. That we would indeed, Heavenly Father, pray.
[12:26] Pray that the seed would take root. And that each one here would be rooted and grounded in your word. That in your season that they would bear fruit.
[12:39] So we commit all things to you. Asking for your guidance. And your leading. But most of all, coming and asking for forgiveness of our sins. In Jesus' precious name.
[12:52] Amen. Boys and girls, if you want to come down to the front. I won't bite.
[13:06] How are you all this morning? Beautiful day outside. Have you had a good week? Yeah.
[13:18] Anything exciting happen? No? School finished? On holiday now? Well, I'm going to tell you about something that happened to me. On Friday afternoon.
[13:31] I had an appointment in my diary. And I got a letter through the post. A couple of weeks ago. I'd actually been waiting on the letter coming. I won't tell you how long I was waiting on the letter coming.
[13:44] But I was waiting on the letter coming. And it was for an appointment. Anyone guess where it might have been? Hospital. Is that because I said I was waiting for it for a long time?
[13:56] I shouldn't go there. Yeah. It was an appointment to go to the hospital. Guess what it was for? Was it for my teeth?
[14:11] My eyes? My earring? What's wrong with my chin? No. It wasn't for my teeth. It wasn't for my leg.
[14:23] It wasn't for my arms. It was for my stomach. It was for my stomach. A couple of months ago I had a blood test. And it showed that, believe it or not, when you look at my physique, that I had a fatty liver.
[14:36] So I had to go and get an ultrasound. And it was pretty amazing, actually. It allowed me to see it afterwards. It wasn't particularly pleasant when they put the jelly on your tummy and then they start running this sensor around.
[14:55] But they were able to see inside my stomach. And they were able to show me afterwards where the blood was flowing. And where my gallbladder was. Where my liver was. Where my kidneys were. Can you see that on a day-to-day basis?
[15:09] No. It's impossible for us to see it. But with that special machine, they were able to see inside my stomach. I had to lie on my back. I had to lie on my side on one side and then on the other side.
[15:21] And did a very thorough check. And, um, were you able to tell me that I had a fatty liver? Um, why did I tell you that? Well, I tell you it because we can't see inside my stomach.
[15:35] Can't see inside your stomach. But somebody can. Does anybody know who it might be? God can see inside our stomachs.
[15:47] And there's a passage in the Bible, in Psalm 139. We were talking there about, um, Angus Allister having been born. And, um, it says here, For you formed me, my inward parts.
[16:02] You knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works. For my soul knows it very well.
[16:14] God knows every single little bit about us. Even before we were born. Before we came into this world. It tells us there that God knitted us together.
[16:28] In our mother's womb. Isn't that amazing? Absolutely amazing. That when I go for a scan. And they can see inside my stomach. Before I even went there.
[16:39] God knew what was wrong with me. And the Bible tells us that. When we were praying, I said that God's word is a rule for us.
[16:50] On how we may glorify and enjoy God forever. Not just the New Testament where we read about Jesus. But also in the Old Testament. And each and every one of us, as we come here to Sunday school.
[17:03] Whether it be during the school term or during the holidays. What we learn in the Bible. Helps to guide us. As we go through life. There'll be challenges.
[17:15] There'll be difficulties. But each one of us know. That if we come to our Bible. God directs us. And God leads us. Before we were even born.
[17:26] God knew everything about us. And when you go off to Sunday school. We're going to be looking at a man who was sick. And it was visible that he was sick. But what we're also going to be looking at is.
[17:40] That while this man's outward sickness was healed. There was an inner sickness. That had to be healed. Do you know what that inner sickness was?
[17:52] Michael. He had to get right with God. In relation to his sin. And what do we do. To get right with God. And to get rid of sin.
[18:04] In our lives. What do we need to do? Michael. We have to ask for forgiveness. We have to come to God. And we have to ask forgiveness.
[18:16] And what do we do. We ask Jesus to. Take away our sins. Take away our sins. And come into our heart. Okay. And our prayer for each and every one of you.
[18:29] Is that as you grow. That you will know Jesus. And that you will ask Jesus into your heart. And that you will recognize. That they can see the sin in your life. And that you need to come to him. And ask him to take away that sin.
[18:40] Okay. Let's pray. Dear heavenly father. We thank you for our young ones. We pray for those that are away on holiday at this time. That your hand of protection would be upon them. We pray heavenly father. That as we have prayed so often for them before. That they would grow to know and love you.
[18:51] And that you will be in your lives. And that you will be in your lives now. That you will recognize. That they can see the sin in your life. And that you need to come to him. And ask him to take away that sin. Okay. Let's pray. And that you will pray on holiday at this time. That your hand of protection would be upon them.
[19:03] We pray heavenly father. That as we have prayed so often for them before. That they would grow to know and love you. That they would know heavenly father. What your word teaches.
[19:14] That they are to remember their creator in the days of their youth. That before the evil days come. When they say they have no pleasure in them. And heavenly father that they would come now as little children.
[19:27] You teach us all that we must come as children. And trust in you. So we commit each one of our young ones to you. We thank you for them. And we pray that they would indeed know you.
[19:39] Love you and walk with you. We thank you again for our Sunday school teachers. We pray for them at this time of holiday. We thank you for those that are prepared to stand in the gap.
[19:51] And teach them during this time. That you would uphold them. That you would strengthen them. And that you would equip them. We thank you heavenly father for the willingness.
[20:02] Of those within the congregation. To teach our young ones. Whether in the Sunday school or at the youth fellowship. We pray that you would continue to bless them and guide them in this.
[20:13] And that they would see fruit for their labor. In Jesus name. Amen. Amen. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
[20:24] The words on the screen. What gift of love is Jesus my Redeemer. What gift of grace is Jesus my Redeemer.
[20:44] There is no more for heaven now to give. He is my joy, my righteousness and freedom.
[20:59] My steadfast love. My steadfast love. My deep and boundless peace. To this I hold.
[21:10] My hope is only Jesus. For my life is holy and to his.
[21:21] Oh how strange and divine. I can say all is mine. Yet not I.
[21:32] But through Christ in me. The night is dark. But I am not forsaken.
[21:45] For by my side the Savior he will stay. I labor on in weakness and rejoicing.
[21:59] For in my knee his power is his way. To this I hold.
[22:10] My shepherd will defend me. Through the deepest valley he will lead.
[22:21] Oh the night has been won. And I shall overcome. Yet not I. But through Christ in me.
[22:36] No faith I dread. I know I am forgiven. The future sure.
[22:47] The price it has been paid. For Jesus fled. And suffered for my pardon.
[22:59] And he was raised to overthrow the grave. To this I hold. My sin has been defeated.
[23:14] Jesus now and ever is my feet. Oh the chains are released. I can say I am free.
[23:28] Yet not I. But through Christ in me. With every breath I long to follow Jesus.
[23:43] For he has said. For he has said. That he will bring me home. And day by day. I know he will renew me.
[23:57] Until I stand. With joy before the throne. To this I hold. My hope is only Jesus.
[24:11] For he has said. All the glory evermore to him. When the race is complete. Still my life shall repeat.
[24:25] Yet not I. But through Christ in me. When the race is complete. Still my life shall repeat.
[24:38] Yet not I. But through Christ in me. Amen.
[24:58] If you can turn with me in your Bibles. To the Gospel of Mark. In the New Testament. The Gospel of Mark. And we'll read from the first chapter. And we'll read the whole chapter.
[25:12] The Gospel of Mark. Chapter 1. The beginning of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The Son of God. As it is written in Isaiah the prophet.
[25:25] Behold I send my messenger before your face. Who will prepare your way. The voice of one crying in the wilderness. Prepare the way of the Lord. Make his path straight.
[25:36] John appeared baptizing in the wilderness. And proclaiming a baptism of repentance. For the forgiveness of sins. And all the country of Judea. And all Jerusalem were going out to him. And were being baptized by him in the river Jordan.
[25:49] Confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel hair. And wore a leather belt around his waist. And ate locusts and wild honey. And he preached saying.
[26:01] After me comes he who is mightier than I. The strap of his sandals. I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I have baptized you with water. But he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.
[26:13] In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee. And was baptized by John in the Jordan. And when he came up out of the water. Immediately he saw the heavens being torn open.
[26:25] And the Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven. You are my beloved son. With you I am well pleased. The Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness.
[26:38] And he was in the wilderness forty days. Being tempted by Satan. And he was with the wild animals. And the angels were ministering to him. And after John was arrested. And after John was arrested.
[26:49] Jesus came into Galilee. Proclaiming the gospel of God. And saying the time is fulfilled. And the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent. And believe in the gospel.
[27:01] And he was in the sea of Galilee. And he saw Simon and Andrew. And he saw Simon and Andrew. The brother of Simon casting a net into the sea. For they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them.
[27:13] Follow me and I will make you fishers of men. And immediately they left their nets and followed him. And going on a little further. He saw James the son of Zebedee. And John his brother.
[27:25] Who were in their boat mending the nets. And immediately he called them. And they left their father Zebedee in the boat. With the hired servants. And followed him. And they went into Capernaum.
[27:37] And immediately on the Sabbath day. He entered the synagogue and was teaching. And they were astonished at his teaching. For he taught as one who had authority. Not as the scribes. And immediately there was in the synagogue.
[27:49] A man with an unclean spirit. And he cried out. What have you to do with us Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are. The Holy One of God.
[28:01] But Jesus rebuked him saying. Be silent and come out of him. And the unclean spirit convulsing him. And crying out with a loud voice. Came out of him. And they were all amazed.
[28:13] So that they questioned among themselves saying. What is this? A new teaching with authority. He commands even the unclean spirits. And they obey him. And at once his fame spread everywhere.
[28:25] Throughout all the surrounding region of Galilee. And immediately he left the synagogue. And entered the house of Simon and Andrew. With James and John. Now Simon's mother-in-law lay ill with a fever.
[28:39] And immediately they told him about her. And he came and took her by the hand. And lifted her up. And the fever left her. And she began to serve them. That evening at sundown.
[28:51] They brought to him all who were sick or oppressed by demons. And the whole city was gathered together at the door. And he healed many who were sick with various diseases. And cast out many demons.
[29:03] And he would not permit the demons to speak. Because they knew him. And rising early in the morning. While it was still dark. He departed.
[29:15] And went out to a desolate place. And there he prayed. And those who were with him searched for him. And they found him and said to him. Everyone is looking for you. And he said to them.
[29:27] Let us go on to the next towns. That I may preach there also. For this is why I came out. And he went throughout all Galilee. Preaching in their synagogues. And casting out demons.
[29:39] And a leper came to him. Imploring him. And kneeling said to him. If you will. You can make me clean. Moved with pity.
[29:51] He stretched out his hand. And touched him. And said to him. I will. Be clean. And immediately the leprosy left him. And he was made clean. And Jesus sternly charged him.
[30:03] And sent him away at once. And said to him. See that you say nothing to anyone. But go. Show yourself to the priest. And offer your cleansing.
[30:14] What Moses commanded. For a proof to them. But he went out. And began to talk freely about it. And to spread the news. So that Jesus could no longer.
[30:26] Openly enter a town. But was out in desolate places. And people were coming to him. From every quarter. Amen. And may God add his blessing. To his own holy word.
[30:39] We'll sing again. This time. In Gaelic. In Psalm 119. And we'll sing the last two. Verses. Of the last section.
[30:52] Of the Psalm. I'll just read the whole section. In Gaelic. But we'll read the last. Sing the last two stanzas. Oh let my earnest prayer and cry. Come near before thee Lord.
[31:04] Give understanding unto me. According to thy word. Let my request before thee come. After thy word me free. My lips shall utter praise. When thou has taught thy laws to me.
[31:17] My tongue of thy most blessed work. Shall speak. And it confess. Because all thy commandments. Are perfect righteousness. Let thy strong hand.
[31:29] Help me to help. Make help to me. Thy precepts are my choice. I long for thy salvation Lord. And in thy law rejoice. Oh let my soul live.
[31:41] And it shall. Give praises unto thee. And let thy judgments gracious. Be helpful unto me. I like a lost sheep. Went astray. Thy servants seek and find.
[31:53] For thy commands I suffered not. To slip out of my mind. We'll sing in Gaelic. And we remain seated. To sing. Zim, Thank you.
[32:49] Thank you.
[33:19] Thank you.
[33:49] Thank you.
[34:19] Thank you.
[34:49] Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
[35:03] Thank you. Thank you.
[36:03] Thank you. Thank you.
[37:03] Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. In the author of the book, it says, And I preach there also, For those reading in the NIV, it says, And this teaches us that Jesus came to preach a message of salvation.
[37:38] we read earlier that it said that he came with a message telling people that they must repent Jesus came with a message of salvation while there was many that came and needed physical healing Jesus realized and was wanting to teach his disciples that there was a greater need a greater need for people to hear a message of salvation and we read that he went through all Galilee preaching in their synagogues and casting out demons and that brings us to verse 40 where we read the story of the cleansing of the leper as it is given here we don't have any other name for the man other than it was a cleansing of the leper and this is where we'll spend our time this morning looking at what this passage has to teach us we'll look at what leprosy is what it refers to in the context of this passage and then hopefully learn under four headings what this passage has to teach us we'll look at the leper's request then look at Jesus's response and Jesus's request and then finally what we'll look at is is your response but before we do that let's just pray dear only father we thank you that you have given us your word you've given it to us to direct us on how we may glorify and enjoy you forever and as we open your word together we pray that we would indeed be still before you that we would seek to learn from you and think of the words that we read sang in the psalm there I like a lost sheep went astray my servant seek and find for thy commandment for thy commands I suffered not to slip out of my mind I recognize heavenly father that this may not be the first time that we are here with your word opened that we have heard it many times before that we pray heavenly father that as we listen this morning that we would indeed seek clarity that we would recognize that without you that we are lost and we need you heavenly father to come into our lives and to cleanse us from sin so as we look at your word this morning remember heavenly father
[40:22] Duncan as he preaches your word and show us that this time we pray for your hand to be upon him that you would bless him and we pray for richard as he goes out with your word tonight in calanish and heavenly father that you would equip him even now with your message and that you would prepare him and still his heart before you that as your word goes forth in spirit and in truth that as the congregations and shabbos and calanish here they would indeed be blessed and that they would heed your message in jesus name amen so in verse 40 we read and the leper came to him that is to jesus just before we come to our first point that's worth looking at what the significance of these words are before us it's unclear where this man came to jesus where he actually met him what we find out as we study the word does that in leviticus 13 45 and 46 it actually teaches us that what this man did was against the law of the land at that time it says there the leprous person who has the disease shall wear torn clothes and let the hair of his head let hang loose and he shall cover his upper lip and cry out unclean unclean he shall remain unclean as long as he is the disease he is unclean he shall live alone his dwelling shall be outside the camp in those days people with leprosy were cast out they had to cry out that they were unclean nobody was to come near them but this man decided that he was going to come to jesus he shouldn't have been where he was he definitely shouldn't have approached and spoken to jesus as we read in the passage there he was to live alone he was to cry out unclean no one was to come near him why?
[42:40] because he had leprosy I don't know how much you know about leprosy I thought I knew something about it but I went on to the leprosy mission website tells us that leprosy is a disease caused by a bacteria I'm not even going to try and pronounce but it's a bacteria that works very slowly on the skin and the symptoms of the disease can take a long time to develop even five years the first signs are often discoloured patches on the body and the loss of sensation does leprosy still exist?
[43:25] yes it says that leprosy is not an affliction of the past it is a 21st century disease devastating people's lives right now for over 2,000 years the disease has continued to affect men women and children what are the complications associated with leprosy?
[43:49] if treated early it's unlikely the disease will cause permanent disability if left untreated it progresses and the nerve damage spreads in the hands the feet and even it may affect the eyes is there a cure for leprosy?
[44:06] well a cure for leprosy was made available in 1982 it's a multi-drug therapy and has to be taken for maybe 6 to 12 months depending on the severity that while the treatment may stop leprosy progressing it can't reverse any of the disabilities that it may that person may have what causes leprosy?
[44:38] leprosy is mainly spread by moisture droplets passed through the air from someone who has leprosy but has not started treatment leprosy is not hereditary is leprosy infectious?
[44:54] leprosy is only mildly infectious in fact they reckon that 95% of people are thought to be naturally immune from it what's the stigma and the discrimination in relation to leprosy?
[45:11] people affected by leprosy are often subjected to stigma and discrimination they're rejected by their families friends and communities many lose their jobs others others lose their homes or find themselves excluded from school the stigma of leprosy persists through the use of the word leper it's offensive to people affected by the disease it's associated with prejudice and appalling treatment they have faced in order to reduce stigma we use the term people affected by leprosy or a leprosy patient if somebody's undergoing treatment a lot of information available about leprosy but as we'll see what we read there in relation to leprosy can also be read similar to another disease that we have within society in Jesus' day there wasn't a cure for leprosy and as we read people had to be put outside the city there were specific rules and regulations that people had to live by but despite this this man came to Jesus we may be questioning how did this man even know about Jesus he was outside the city while Jesus was going from different towns this man had to keep himself at a distance from Jesus how was he to have heard about Jesus it may be that while he was separated from his family his family still desired to care for him they might have gone out with food for him to make sure that he was able to eat and in going out and leaving food for him they may be being shouted there's a man called Jesus that came to heal but whatever the message is or however this man came to hear about Jesus what we see here is that he came to Jesus and he came to Jesus with a request and that brings us to our first point the leper's request in verse 40 and a leper came to him imploring him and kneeling said to him if you will you can make me clean what we see in the next verse is that this man came close enough to Jesus that Jesus was actually able to reach out and touch him we don't know at what stage of the illness this man was at but he was obviously still mobile enough to be able to come to Jesus and as we see here he was able to kneel before him we learned earlier that with leprosy well it can take five years to actually start to show it affects the feet it affects the hands it affects our mobility but this man was able to come to Jesus and he was able to kneel before him this man knew he had a need and he came to Jesus having heard about him but he didn't just come to Jesus he pleaded with him he pleaded with him just to pause is there anyone here this morning that needs to come to Jesus and plead before him this man
[49:12] came to plead before Jesus if you will you can make me clean is there anyone here this morning that needs to come with the same prayer before Jesus this morning not for a healing from leprosy but for a healing as we will see later on for the sin that is within our lives so this man came with a request to Jesus and Jesus came sorry Jesus responded to him what we immediately see is that Jesus didn't chase the man away he didn't rebuke him for disobeying the law we read in verse 41 moved with pity or moved with compassion he stretched out his hand and touched him and said to him I will be clean Jesus had compassion in the man the man had already broken the law and coming near to
[50:16] Jesus but Jesus then breaks the law and reaches out and touches him the commentator tells us the reason the law did not allow a person to touch a leper was not only because the leper was thought to spread leprosy was thought to spread by contact but also because the touch made the one who touched the leper unclean and therefore cursed by God but as we read that's not what happened we recognize that the man became clean and immediately in verse 42 the leprosy left him and he was made clean and the commentator goes on and says but notice this when Jesus touched the leper his touch rather than contaminating Jesus cured the leper we'll come back and we'll revisit that Jesus' response was to reach out and it was to touch the man and in touching the man he was made clean then we're going to spend a wee bit more time looking at our third point
[51:29] Jesus' request to the leper verses 43 and 44 I can't call him the leper anymore he's now been healed so we'll call him the man and Jesus sternly charged him and sent him away at once and said to him see that you say nothing to anyone but go show yourself to the priest and offer your cleansing that what Moses commanded for proof to them see that you say nothing to anyone sounds a strange request to come from Jesus let's try and unpack it we read earlier in the passage in verse 38 where Jesus said let us go to the next towns that I may preach there also for that is why I've come out Jesus has already seen what would happen when people become aware or became aware of his power to heal he was overwhelmed with people coming with all their sicknesses with all their ailments he was concerned that his ministry to preach the message of salvation was being hampered by the overwhelming physical need that there was amongst the people he had already had to leave one area because of his fame because it had spread so much and he wanted to be able to move freely and preach the message and we see by the response of the man and the impact of his disobedience the effect that it had on
[53:10] Jesus' ministry in the area as it goes on and it says but he went out and he began to talk freely about it and to spread the news so that Jesus could no longer openly enter a town but was out in desolate places and people were coming to him from every quarter the man had received cleansing for his skin condition but he had failed to fully understand the significance of what Jesus had done and what he had been asked to do by him the second part of the verse is the request that comes from Jesus but go show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses commanded for a proof to them what does that mean for us to understand us we need to go back again to the book of Leviticus and while time doesn't allow us to read the 32 verses in chapter 14 at the beginning just focus on what it says to us in verses 10 to 14 and then verses 21 and 22 and I'll just read it to you and on the eighth day he shall take two male lambs without blemish and one ewe lamb a year old without blemish and a grain offering of three tenths of an ephah of fine flour mixed with oil and one log of oil and the priest who cleanses him shall set the man who is to be cleansed and these things before the lord at the entrance to the tent of meeting and the priest shall take one of the lambs and offer it for a guilt offering along with a log of oil and wave them for a wave offering before the lord and he shall kill the lamb in the place for the guilt they kill the sin offering and the burnt offering in the place of the sanctuary for the guilt offering like the sin offering belongs to the priest that is most holy the priest shall take some of the blood of the guilt offering and the priest shall put it on the lobe of the right ear of him who is to be cleansed and the thumb of his right hand on the big toe of his right foot and then in verse 21 and 22 but if he is poor and cannot afford so much then he shall take one lamb for a guilt offering to be waved to make an atonement for him and a tenth of an ephah of fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering and a log of oil also two turtle doves or two pigeons whichever he can afford the one shall be a sin offering and the other a burnt offering when we read this it brings a very different perspective and a different meaning to the passage that we have before us this morning well we read of a physical healing the man was cured of his leprosy and while in the lead up to it there had been a breach of the law and the protocol the leper had come to Jesus he spoke to Jesus and Jesus reached out and touched him there was still something significant that had to be done did you catch it in the two passages that we read there had to be sacrifice did you notice what the sacrifice was whether rich or poor it referred to as a guilt it was referred to as a guilt offering in verses 12 and at verse 21 a male lamb without blemish go back to the service that we had at the beginning of the year what was
[57:03] John's witness of Jesus behold the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world reading this passage with the understanding of what Jesus had asked the man to do and the significance of this might change for some of us what we actually see within the passage we read at the beginning about what leprosy was symptoms the cure and everything else that went with it the stigma but if this passage is about sin let's just ask the same questions what is sin now the shorter catechism at question 14 asks that very question and the answer is given sin is any want of conformity unto or transgression of the law of God what are the symptoms of sin Galatians 5 19 to 20 now the works of the flesh are evident sexual immolarity impurity sensuality idolatry sorcery enmity strife jealousy fits of anger rivalries dissensions divisions envy drunkenness orgies and things like these
[58:23] I warn you as I warned you before that these who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God does sin still exist the answer that was given in relation to leprosy is exactly the same answer that we get here yes sin does still exist sin is not an affliction of the past it's a 21st century disease devastating people's lives right now for over 2,000 years the diseases continue to affect men women and children what are the complications associated with sin Romans 6 24 for the wages of sin are death is there a cure for sin John 3 16 for God so loved the world that he gave his only son that whosoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life
[59:25] Acts 16 31 believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved you and your household what causes sin Ephesians 6 12 for we do not wrestle against flesh and blood but against the rulers against the authorities against the cosmic powers over this present darkness against the spiritual forces of evil in heavenly places is sin infectious Romans 3 22 and 23 for there is no distinction for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God stigma and discrimination people who have come to faith in Jesus are often subject to stigma and discrimination they can be rejected by their families depending on where they are their friends and their communities and we recognise in some countries many people lose their jobs are excluded from society and they have to meet in secret sadly however there does not appear to be a stigma about sin although people do take offence they've been called a sinner to find this word offensive and judgmental rightly we use different terms to describe people affected by leprosy there's no other term to describe fallen man than we are sinners we're sinners in need of a saviour in light of this if you allow me just to read the passage in a slightly different form and a sinner came to
[61:22] Jesus imploring him and kneeling said if you will you can make me clean and moved with pity Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him and said I will be clean and immediately the sin left him and he was made clean voice the commentator says of this passage in Mark it is a spectacular demonstration of what Jesus coming does in respect to human sin Jesus did not become sinful by becoming one of us rather he made it possible for us to be cleansed from sin by his contact how do we get that contact we get it even as the children were able to tell us this morning by coming to Jesus by coming to him in faith and asking him to come into our lives just before we move on to our last point while there's no longer a need for us to go to the priest and offer a sacrifice because the sacrifice has been paid for us
[62:40] Jesus does command us to do something to remember that sacrifice only a couple of weeks ago here the words of 1st Corinthians 11 would have been read for for I received from the Lord what I also deliver to you that the Lord Jesus in the night when he was betrayed took bread and when he had given thanks he broke it and said this is my body which is for you do this in remembrance of me in the same way he also took the cup after supper saying this cup is the new covenant in my blood do this as often as you drink it in remembrance of me for as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes so while there's no requirement for us to go to the priests there is a requirement for us to come and make a public profession of the sacrifice that was paid to take away our sins which takes us to our final point what's your response to the word of God this morning leprosy meant that this man was cast out and separated from his loved ones sin separates us from
[64:15] God this morning someone had told this man about Jesus and he came to him and he pleaded before him and was cleansed from his ailment you're here this morning you've heard about Jesus your family may even have been telling you of your need to come to Jesus for years if you haven't already come to him if you haven't come to him for cleansing are you going to come today the sacrifice has been paid for each and every one of us the question to you is what are you waiting for the cleansed man was able to return to his loved ones he was welcomed back into his home for those that come to Jesus there's a welcome waiting for each and every one of us and just finally well Jesus told this man to go and tell no one for those that do come to
[65:24] Jesus who recognise that that message has changed well that man going out and telling others of Jesus at that time hindered Jesus' ministry the message that comes to those that come to Jesus this morning is go into all the world and make disciples baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and the Holy Spirit teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you and behold I am with you always even to the end of the age what is your response to the word of God this morning are you going to come and plead before him and in pleading before him are you going to receive cleansing for your sins let us pray dear heavenly father we thank you again for your word to us we thank you for the clarity of your word but we thank you most of all for your son and for his purpose in coming to preach a message of repentance and to offer himself as a sacrifice that we can indeed receive salvation through him be with us now as we bring our meeting to a close and we indeed know your blessing and go out and be a blessing to others in
[66:53] Jesus name amen we'll finish our service this morning singing to singing the words on the screen what can wash away my sin nothing but the blood of Jesus and it goes on what can make me whole again nothing but the blood of Jesus stand to sing what can wash away my sin nothing but the blood of Jesus what can make me whole again nothing but the blood of Jesus oh precious is the flow that makes me white as snow no other fount
[68:00] I know nothing but the blood of Jesus for my pardon this I see nothing but the blood of Jesus for my cleansing this might lead nothing but the blood of Jesus oh precious is the flow that makes me white as snow no other fount I know nothing but the blood of Jesus nothing done for sin atone nothing but the blood of Jesus not of good that
[69:02] I have done nothing but the blood of Jesus oh precious is the flow that makes me white as snow no other fount I know nothing but the blood of Jesus this is all my hope and peace nothing but the blood of Jesus this is all my righteousness nothing but the blood of Jesus close with a benediction now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you faultless before the presence of his holy is glorious place to God our saviour whom alone is wise be glory majesty power and dominion both now and evermore amen