Day 9: The Cleansing of a Leper (Mark 1:40–45)

By Sindhu Nadarajan · September 18, 2026

v. 40: A leper came to him and kneeling down begged him…

"Leprosy" was the name given to various skin diseases at that time. Under the Law of Moses, lepers had to live outside the camp and were considered unclean, cut off from the people. They had to cry out, "Unclean, unclean!" wherever they went (Lev 13:45).

It was such a man who found the courage to come to Jesus in public without being stopped by others! He made a great effort to come to Jesus. And before anyone could drive him away, he knelt and begged Jesus to heal him! This is a big deal, and it does not go unnoticed by Jesus.

v. 41: He stretched out his hand and touched him. If a Jew touched an unclean person, he became unclean himself. But look what happens here.

v. 42: The leprosy left him immediately, and he was made clean! The fruit of faith and trust is obvious. He received a new life.

v. 44: Jesus sends him to show himself to the priest so that he can be restored to the community according to the Law of Moses.

Jesus also tells the man not to tell anyone. This may confuse us. As we discussed earlier, Jesus does this to avoid being presented only as a healer or miracle worker, which would be a partial revelation. There is more to be revealed about him.

His main mission was the redemption of humanity through his passion, death, and resurrection, and this "Messianic Secret" had to be revealed slowly. If it became known too early, people might form a wrong or incomplete picture of him. He also meant to prevent his death before the appointed time. He knew that the religious leaders would seek to kill him. Even though he came to die, there were things he had to do before that appointed hour.

v. 45: The man went away and began to publicize the whole matter, so that it was impossible for Jesus to enter a town openly. He remained outside in deserted places.

Look what happened! The man who lived in deserted places was healed and went into town. But because of the man's disobedience, Jesus now has to stay in deserted places! Notice how he takes the place of the sinner, just as he is going to die in our place.

St. Paul says, "If for this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are the most pitiable people of all" (1 Cor 15:19). We are called to live this life not according to what we think and hope it is for, or how the world presents it to us, but the way the Lord has designed it for us.

• How do I see the rules and regulations around me, from God and from the world?

• How do I understand the freedom I am invited into as I follow Christ?

Ponder

• When you heard the story of the leper, what were you thinking and feeling?

• Whom do you identify with: the leper or Jesus? Why?

Journal what is revealed to you as you bring your thoughts and feelings to Jesus.