In this passage of God’s Word we see a man who had leprosy. This was a death sentence in his era. He would have been ostracized and isolated. However, out of his desperation, he seeks out Jesus to heal him. By taking a look at his story, we can learn what to remember when we feel like we’re not good enough:

1. God is all-powerful and all-loving

Luke 5:12-13, 1 John 3:1, 4:16, Rom. 5:8

2. Christ makes us holy

Luke 5:13, Rom. 5:1, 1 Thess. 5:23

3. God wants to redeem us

Luke 5:14, 2 Cor. 5:17, Eph. 1:7, Titus 2:14

Reflection Questions

1. The man with leprosy would have been looked down upon and isolated from society. Culture likely would have said that he is cursed by God. He could have very easily felt like there was something wrong with him and that he was not good enough. In what aspects of your life do you feel that you’re not good enough or that people have looked down upon you for? Why is that? How long have you felt that way?

2. The man with leprosy may have thought that his aliment was caused by past sins that he committed and that his leprosy was a punishment from God. While there are consequences to our actions, often times the enemy will use our past mistakes to mar the way that we view ourselves. Do you have any past mistakes that always seem to creep into your thoughts? Could it be that the enemy is using that to keep you from the redeemed life that God has for you? How do these thoughts make you view yourself? How does how you view yourself differ from how God views you? How could reminding yourself that you are completely redeemed by God help give you a more arcuate way to view yourself?

3. Jesus gave the man with leprosy instructions so that he could be reintegrated into society. In doing so, Jesus shows us that He cares not only for the immediate physical need, but that He also wants to completely redeem his (and our) life. Paint a picture in your mind of what your life would look like if you went to God and allowed yourself to be completely redeemed by Him. What aspect(s) of your life would change the most? Would you be less angry, self-centered, anxious, ect.? How would remembering how God sees you and that He wants to completely redeem your life help you to bring to a reality the picture that you painted in your mind?

4. What practical step(s) can you take to allow yourself to be completely redeemed by God? Who can keep you accountable to that?