This verse begins with a curious piece of information: Jesus had to see the lepers in order to attend to them. How could He not see these men, if they saw Him? Well, spiritual matters are revealed spiritually. For me, this situation demonstrates that if the person in need does not present themselves to the Master prepared as a worker, He cannot attend to them. Seek to present yourself approved to God as a worker (2 Timothy 2:15).

Remember: the lepers cried out for mercy. This act shows that they put their faith into action. In response, Jesus instructed them to show themselves to the priest. Perhaps they had done this before being declared sick, but now they would present themselves again, fulfilling the Law, which required the priest to examine and confirm the healing. Those men were healed by faith!

The Word also tells the story of Joshua in the battle of Gibeon. That nation sent some “from afar” to convince Joshua to receive them as friends, for they did not want to be destroyed by the Israelites during the conquest of Canaan. The inhabitants of Gibeon were wise, because, faced with an imminent attack, motivated by the agreement they made with Israel, they called Joshua. The Hebrew captain prayed, and God answered him (Joshua 10:12).

Why, in the case of the lepers, did Jesus not pray or cast out the demon of the disease? Because by exercising faith when they asked for healing, those men could already consider their request answered. Christ treats us in the same way. They believed and went to fulfill the Master's requirement. When there is faith, it is enough for the person to go before God to acknowledge the blessing. The priest represented the Lord!

There are many teachings in the Scriptures. In fact, all the events of the Old Testament were written for our learning, as the Bible declares: For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope. (Romans 15:4). Therefore, the rich lessons of the Lord must not be disregarded. To Him be the glory!

How much important information do we lose when we listen to those who neglect the Old Testament? They go beyond what is written by creating doctrines that are not found in the Scriptures. In the New Testament, the Bible teaches about the Old: Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come. (1 Corinthians 10:11). Believe and live!

In the statement, And so it was that as they went, they were cleansed, it is evident that Jesus was giving us a precious instruction about believing in the Word of the Lord. With this passage, we have the assurance that we will receive the same treatment given to the lepers whenever we cry out in faith, believing that we have been heard. In the Lord, there is no lack of anything nor any obstacles!

In Christ, with love,

R. R. Soares