Clean Before God (Tuesday)

Luke 5:12-16

12 While He was in one of the cities, behold, there was a man covered with leprosy; and when he saw Jesus, he fell on his face and begged Him, saying, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.” 13 And He reached out with His hand and touched him, saying, “I am willing; be cleansed.” And immediately the leprosy left him. 14 And He ordered him to tell no one, saying, “But go and show yourself to the priest, and make an offering for your cleansing, just as Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.” 15 But the news about Him was spreading even farther, and large crowds were gathering to hear Him and to be healed of their sicknesses. 16 But Jesus Himself would often slip away to the wilderness and pray.

While Jesus was in one of the cities, a man covered in leprosy approached Him. This man, an outcast of society, had no human hope of healing. Yet, he demonstrated faith by falling on his face before Jesus and pleading, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.” Jesus’ response was filled with both power and compassion—“I am willing; be cleansed.” Instantly, the man was healed.

Leprosy, in biblical times, was not just a physical ailment; it was a symbol of sin's destructive power. Those afflicted were separated from their communities, deemed unclean and unworthy to be in the presence of God’s people. In the same way, sin isolates us from God. But just as Jesus had the power and willingness to heal the leper, He also has the power and willingness to cleanse us from sin.

The leper’s act of falling before shows he recognized Jesus’ authority and compassion. Jesus did something shocking—He reached out and touched the untouchable. His touch did not make Jesus unclean; instead, it made the man clean. This is a beautiful picture of what Jesus does for us. Through His life, death, and resurrection, He removes the disease of sin and restores us to a right relationship with God.


When the leper was healed, Jesus instructed him to go to the priest to be officially declared clean. In the same way, when we put our faith in Jesus, we are immediately made righteous before God. We are not just forgiven; we are restored and welcomed into God’s family. Jesus is our Priest and He declares us righteous!

The leper recognized both Jesus’ power and compassion. Do you believe Jesus is both able and willing to cleanse you from sin? Why or why not?

Jesus reached out and touched someone society had cast aside. How does this challenge you to love and serve others?

When we trust in Jesus, our spiritual healing is immediate. Do you struggle with fully accepting God’s forgiveness? How can you grow in trusting His grace?


Lord, You are the one who takes us from unclean to clean, washing away our sin and restoring us to new life. Thank You for Your mercy that reaches beyond our brokenness and for Your touch that makes us whole. Help us to trust in Your power to cleanse and transform us, that we may walk in the fullness of Your grace. May our lives be a testimony to the redemption You so freely give. Amen.