Matthew 8:1-4
This is a brief account of Jesus' healing a man with leprosy. Leprosy was a fearful disease in Bible times with no known cure. Leprosy still exists today but can be treated and cured with modern medicine. Lepers in Bible times were banished from society and forced to live with other lepers. The priest declared them unclean, and no one was allowed to touch them. When they appeared on the street or any public place, they had to shout "unclean, unclean" so that no one would accidentally touch them. You can imagine the lonely, painful life and eventual death they faced.
I find the man's prayer interesting, "Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean." His faith is implied. He doesn't even seem to consider that Jesus might not be able to heal him. He also seems to realize that God answers our prayers according to His will. Jesus did not heal everyone He came into contact with. Today God doesn't heal everyone who comes to Him in faith. After all, everyone dies eventually even though we pray urgently for them.
In this case, Jesus was indeed willing! He reached out His hand and touched the man even though his skin was afflicted with the dreaded leprosy. And remember this action was forbidden! But Jesus can place His healing touch wherever He chooses. And so Jesus pronounced him clean and sent him to the priest so that he could be declared ceremonially unclean and this would be a testimony to the priest and others.
It's not clear why Jesus asked the man not to tell anyone. It could be because Jesus main ministry was not that of physical healing, but rather it was spiritual healing. Sin is also an incurable "disease" from which no one but Jesus can heal us. His healing touch will free us from our sin and restore us to the person God intended us to be.
Psalm 89:30-37
These verses remind us that God's promises are unchanging and unconditional. This particular promise is to David and to Israel, but we have the same God today! If some of David's descendants in the royal line were unfaithful to God, they would personally suffer discipline from the Lord, but he said, "...I will not take my love from him, nor will I ever betray my faithfulness." v. 33 We can rejoice today that God will never withdraw His love from us, and He will never be unfaithful!
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