Gospel of Mark Part 10: Jesus Cleanses the Leper [Small Group Discussion]
- Rev. Bruce A. Shields
- Mar 9
- 3 min read
Title: If You Are Willing, You Can Make Me Clean
Scripture Focus: Mark 1:40–45 – “And a leper came to Jesus, pleading with Him and falling on his knees before Him, and saying, ‘If You are willing, You can make me clean.’ And moved with compassion, He stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, ‘I am willing; be cleansed.’ And immediately the leprosy left him and he was cleansed. And He sternly warned him and immediately sent him away, and He said to him, ‘See that you say nothing to anyone; but go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.’ But he went out and began to proclaim it freely and to spread the news around, to such an extent that Jesus could no longer publicly enter a city, but stayed out in desolate areas; and they were coming to Him from everywhere.”
OPENING QUESTION
When you think about Jesus’ willingness to touch and heal the leper, what does that reveal to you personally about His heart toward sinners?
BACKGROUND
Jesus had begun His public ministry in Galilee, proclaiming the Kingdom of God and calling people to repent and believe the gospel. Word of His authority and miracles spread quickly. In this passage, we see a man with leprosy—a disease that caused physical suffering, social isolation, and ceremonial uncleanness—approach Jesus in desperation. The man’s bold faith, Jesus’ compassionate response, and the resulting challenge to His ministry give us a clear picture of the gospel in action: Jesus touches the untouchable and cleanses the unclean.
KEY POINTS
1. The Leper’s Condition
Physical Suffering: Leprosy (Hansen’s disease) caused progressive damage—skin lesions, nerve damage, muscle weakness, and deformity (Leviticus 13:44–46).
Social and Religious Isolation: Lepers were excluded from community and worship, declared “unclean.”
Our Parallel Condition: Sin does to the soul what leprosy does to the body—corrupts, isolates, and ultimately destroys (John 8:34; Romans 3:23; Romans 6:23).
2. The Leper’s Cry
Earnest and Desperate: He “pleaded” with Jesus.
Reverent: He fell on his knees before Him.
Humble and Faith-Filled: “If You are willing, You can make me clean.”
Application for Us: We are called to cry out to God for cleansing from sin through repentance, faith, and obedience (Acts 2:38; 1 John 1:9).
3. The Leper’s Cleansing
Moved with Compassion: Jesus touched the man, breaking social and ceremonial boundaries (Mark 6:34).
Immediate Transformation: “I am willing; be cleansed” — and instantly the leprosy was gone.
Spiritual Parallel: In Christ, cleansing from sin is immediate and complete through His blood (Colossians 2:12–13; 1 John 1:7).
4. The Leper’s Commission
Jesus’ Instruction: Go to the priest and offer the sacrifice Moses commanded (Leviticus 14:1–7).
The Leper’s Disobedience: Instead, he told everyone, which hindered Jesus’ ability to move freely.
Our Commission: To share the gospel faithfully and in the way Jesus commands, without replacing His priorities with our own ideas (Matthew 28:19–20; Mark 16:15).
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
How does the leper’s approach to Jesus model the way we should approach Him with our needs?
Why do you think Jesus touched the man instead of healing him from a distance?
What does this passage teach us about the relationship between obedience and effective ministry?
How can we guard against “misdirected zeal” that may actually hinder Christ’s work?
In what ways has Jesus shown His willingness to “touch” your life when others might turn away?
APPLICATION
Jesus’ cleansing of the leper is a powerful picture of the gospel. We are all spiritually diseased with sin, cut off from God, and unable to heal ourselves. But when we come to Jesus in humility and faith, He is both willing and able to cleanse us completely. As His followers, we must remain faithful to His commission—sharing the gospel in both word and deed—and be careful that our zeal is guided by His Word and Spirit, not by our own impulses.
MEMORY VERSE
1 John 1:9 – If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
PRAYER FOCUS
Pray for a humble heart that recognizes your need for Christ’s cleansing. Thank Him for His compassion and willingness to make you whole. Ask for obedience to His commission and discernment to follow His ways rather than your own.
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