Matthew 8:2-3 “And a leper came to Him and bowed down before Him, and said, ‘Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.’ Jesus stretched out His hand and touched him, saying, ‘I am willing; be cleansed.’ And immediately the leprosy was cleansed.”

“Put your money where your mouth is.” This colloquial saying suggests that a person shouldn’t be all talk. Instead, they should prove the validity of their words with money or some action. Matthew recorded Jesus’ teachings regarding His heavenly kingdom and the characteristics of His citizens. Now Matthew continues His narrative by showing the legitimacy of Jesus’ heavenly kingship and authority using specific examples.

Jesus, the great Teacher, having finished His famous Sermon on the Mount, started down from His mountain classroom. The astonished crowds, who had sat intently listening, packed up their belongings and followed right behind Him.

As they descended the mountain, they heard a strange and terrifying cry coming to meet them. A man diagnosed with leprosy, a deadly and communicable disease, approached.

The crowds of people pressed to the outside of the entourage, keeping out of reach of the approaching leper. They shivered with fear and disgust as the disfigured man fell at Jesus’ feet begging for healing. “Lord, if you are willing, You can make me clean,” they heard him plead.

With bated breath they waited to see what would happen, and to their surprise Jesus compassionately replied, “I am willing, be cleansed!” You no doubt could have heard a pin drop as Jesus reached out His hand and touched the outcast, immediately cleansing him from the otherwise incurable leprosy. Jesus then told the man to follow the protocol of the Jewish law by showing himself to the priest as commanded by Moses. His healing would be a testimony to the religious leaders of Jesus’ power and authority.

Not only did Jesus perform miracles to affect the physical realm, but He also performed miracles to represent His power in the spiritual realm. Leprosy, often likened to the incurable disease of sin, contaminates all people. We all must cry, “Unclean!” when compared to a Holy God. But just as Jesus can heal a man afflicted with the physical disease of leprosy, He also has the power and authority to cleanse the unholy sinner who comes to Him in faith.

Jesus, the heavenly King, was an excellent teacher who spoke powerful and life-changing words. But He also, as the saying states, “put His money where His mouth is.” Jesus proved His power over disease in one of many miracles by cleansing a helpless leper, and He can cleanse you too. Just ask! He is able and willing!