Mark - Lesson 2...Continued from page 4

DAY FIVE:  Compassion, Cleanliness, and the Crowds

Please carefully read Mark 1:40-45 and answer the following questions.

1.  We aren’t told exactly when or where this incident took place, but what happened one day as Jesus ministered (v. 40)?

2.  Leprosy included several skin diseases, but true leprosy (Hanson’s bacillus) is a progressive, disfiguring disease, that according to the Law excluded this man from society (Leviticus 13, 14).[xiii]  The Jewish teachers of Jesus’ day (not the Scriptures) would blame leprosy on a person’s sin; lepers were considered “unclean,” and were to be shunned, especially not to be touched.[xiv]  However, this man took the risk, came to Jesus, and believed He could (Greek, had authority to) heal Him if He was willing to.  What was Jesus’ response to this man (v. 41)?

NOTES:  Only Mark’s Gospel points out Jesus’ emotional response to this man’s situation; Mark’s Gospel is unique in recording emotional reactions of people.[xv]  The Greek word for compassion is an inner feeling, to feel deeply or viscerally, and was Jesus’ attitude toward this man.

3.  Of course, Jesus had broken rabbinic teachings by touching this man...or had He?  What does verse 42 say about it?

4.  After healing him, Jesus strictly warned, directed, and sent him away to follow the guidelines of the Law regarding being cleansed from leprosy (Leviticus 14:1-32).  Instead, what did this man do, and how did this impact Jesus’ ministry at that time (v. 45)?

5.  It is understandable that this man forgot to follow Jesus’ instructions to go to the priest and follow the proper steps, which would have been a testimony to them.  He was so excited that he was continually proclaiming and blurting out what Jesus had done for Him.  But this excitement also hindered Jesus’ ministry to an extent.  Why didn’t Jesus want this man, or the demons, or others to tell who He was at this point?  It seems that Jesus was insisting on, as theologians call it, the “Messianic secret,” not letting His claims to being the Messiah come fully out at this time.  How do John 7:6, Romans 5:6, and Galatians 4:4, 5 shed some light on this?

Scripture Memory:  Can you write out this week’s passage by memory here below?  Give it a try, and keep reviewing the passage several times throughout the day.

Mark 1:41: