I WILL; BE THOU CLEAN

Charismatic Hour (29/06/2021) Watchman Catholic Charismatic Renewal Movement  Topic:           I WILL; BE THOU CLEAN Text:              Matt. 8:1-3 INTRODUCTION After the Lord had graciously appeared in the Jewish religious scene with the manifestation of outstanding supernatural power, His fame went abroad and the streets of Galilee were filled with people seeking His attention (Matt. 4:23-25). Then took He off some time (moving out of the public scene), to dispense a priceless message called the Sermon on the Mount! Thereafter, He reappeared in the scene, and a crowd of people followed Him. Then, along the way came a man who recognized His authority and tabled a request. In this Charismatic Hour, we shall draw lessons from Man’s Request and the Master’s Response. The Request Of The Distraught (Matt. 8:1-2) To appreciate the man’s request, one needs to know the circumstance of the man. He had leprosy, a loathed disease condition that made a man despicable in society. In fact, the literal translation of the Hebrew word translated leprosy in the Old Testament means scourge. Leprosy was not just a superficial but rather a deep-seated malady that began as a little lesion, then progressing to disfigure the victim (Lev. 13). Such a victim (irrespective of personality) was required to keep away from the healthy society, and to always announce his unclean presence whenever necessity demanded his appearing in the public (Lev. 13:45-46; Num. 12:10; 2Kgs. 5:27; 7:3-15; 15:5). Although there was the possibility of resolution of the disease, nevertheless the healed person would have to go through an elaborate cleansing process, thereafter (Lev. 14:1-32). Leprosy described in the bible might not necessarily have been the present day leprosy (Hansen’s disease), but could include it as well as other skin conditions like dermatitis, ringworm, eczema etc. So the man (definitely an Israelite), was an ostracized, degraded, and dispirited fellow who knew that there was a possibility of healing (having heard of the Lord’s miracles) but was not sure if the Lord was interested in doing so.  Similarly, today, there are people going through humbling experiences, who know that their circumstances are surmountable (Matt. 19:26) but are not sure if it is God’s will to heal them of their leprosy: Besetting sin, Bed-wetting, Financial frustration, Unemployment, Humiliating diseases like epilepsy, stubborn cough, chronic ulcers, chronic skin conditions, issue of blood, impotence, protracted delay in conception, demonic harassments etc. Sometimes, young believers make reference to Apostle Paul’s case where he besought the Lord thrice (2Cor. 12:7-9) but fail to put into consideration his unequivocal commission coupled with the depth of his spiritual exposure that could have deified him if no thorn in the flesh was allowed. The Response Of The Deliverer (Matt. 8:3; Jn.14:7,9; Col.1:12,13,15) The immediate response of the Lord Jesus illustrated God’s will for His people.  He first stretched out His hand and touched him, thus expressing His identification with the degraded man’s condition (cons. Ps. 27:10) and spoke saying, ‘I will; be thou clean (cons. 3Jn. 2). And immediately the man was healed, and joy definitely overwhelmed him! It is the will of the Lord to heal you of any condition that is making you miserable (Ex. 15:26). The Lord wills that you have your joy full (Jn. 15:11; 16:24). Be informed that all through those moments of your life, when you seemed despised and dejected, isolated, humiliated, perplexed, sorrowful or despaired, He was there with you, identifying with your condition.  He cares! Today, as many as would believe God for their deliverance, fervently calling upon Him, shall experience His Response. Let us rise up to pray.                                      HSCF 149, 120