1. Jesus is willing to give it. (vv. 12-16)

2. Jesus is able to give it. (vv. 17-26)

3. Are we willing to receive it?

For Further Thought and Discussion

Getting Started
1. What was helpful to you in this week’s sermon? What didn’t you understand?

Going Deeper
2. Read vv. 12-16. What is the spiritual significance of leprosy in the biblical story (see e.g. Numbers 12:1-15; 2 Samuel 3:29; 2 Kings 5:20-27; 15:5; 2 Chronicles 26:16-21)? Why must we keep this in mind when reading this passage?

3. Why is it significant that Jesus heals the leper by touching him (v. 13)? Why does Jesus instruct the man to present himself to the priest (v. 14; see Leviticus 14:1-32)? What is Jesus concerned about?

4. What obstacles must the leper and paralytic overcome to get to Jesus (vv. 12, 18-19)? What do we learn from their examples about the nature of genuine faith?

5. Read vv. 20-26. Why do the Pharisees take issue with Jesus (vv. 20-21)? How does Jesus respond (vv. 22-24)? How does Jesus’ riddle (“which is easier”) challenge the Pharisees’ assumptions? What are some potential ways of answering Jesus’ riddle? How does Jesus’ pronouncement of external healing (vv. 24-25) serve to authenticate his pronouncement of internal healing (v. 20)?

6. Why is it significant that Jesus refers to himself as the “Son of Man” (v. 24)? How could the Pharisees have interpreted this phrase (see e.g. Psalm 8:4; Ezekiel 2:1)? Why is it significant that Jesus claims to have “authority on earth” (v. 24)? What “Son of Man” is he claiming to be (see Daniel 7:13-14; compare John 5:22-24)?

Application
7. The Bible often connects sin and sickness, as well as healing and forgiveness (Luke 5:20-24; see Psalm 38:3-4; 103:3; Isaiah 33:24; James 5:13-16). What shouldn’t we infer from this? What can we infer from this? How does physical sickness provide us with a picture of spiritual sickness?

8. Jeff noted a number of ways we seek forgiveness, absolution, and wellness. Which of these stood out to you? Why?