The Home of Simon the Leper: Mark 14:3
“3) While He was in Bethany at the home of Simon the leper, and reclining at the table, …” Mark 14:3a
This is a short phrase, but it is so meaningful. So, who was Simon the leper with whom Jesus and His disciples spent the evening in Bethany? Let’s make a few observations.
First, he was obviously no longer a leper. He was not self isolated from people as the law would require if he was still a leper. He owned a house and was welcoming guests.
Second, he was known by name. The text calls him “Simon.” After his healing, he had become a devoted follower and friend of Jesus and His disciples.
Third, Jesus spent His final evening before the Passover with His disciples at the home of Simon the leper. Some of the people Jesus touched during His public ministry became close friends and associates. We sometimes miss this significant point.
Finally, though his exact identity is a guessing game, but we are pressured to look back to Mark 1:40-45 as the man who became known as Simon the leper. (See also Matthew 8:1-4)
He is the most likely choice. When Jesus was coming down from the mountain after giving His famous sermon, he was blocked by a leper bowing down before Him and saying, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.”
The leper made it clear that his healing by Jesus was not a question of power or ability. It came down to the will of Jesus. So, what is the will of Jesus related to healing?
The answer from Jesus was simple but profound. He reached out and touched him, and said, “I am willing, be cleansed.” (Mark 1:41-42)
I don’t want to force the text, but throughout the public ministry of Jesus, healing was always His Will. I cannot not find one case in the four gospels where Jesus did not heal the sick or deliver the oppressed. Sickness, diseases, injuries and demons never beat Him. He prevailed over them all.
Apparently, it was always His will to heal. Why? Because He is the Great Physician and by His stripes we were healed. (See 1 Peter 2:24, Hebrews 12:13; James 5:15; Isaiah 53:5; Psalm 107:20)
I’m not sure where the phrase came from that closes a prayer for healing by saying; “if it be Thy will.” In Matthew 26:39-42, Jesus prayed that way as He headed toward the cross. But that settled the doubt; “by His stripes we were healed.” Part of the reason Jesus went to the cross was for our healing. Again, He was willing.
God does not want us to be double minded when praying for healing. He wants us to pray in faith knowing His compassion, power and provision for healing. James even calls it “the prayer of faith.” (James 5:15-16) James was the one who warned about being double minded when praying. (James 1:6-8)
I believe Jesus wants many stories like that of Simon the leper. These are the stories that help advance the gospel.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
Sent from my iPhone
“3) While He was in Bethany at the home of Simon the leper, and reclining at the table, …” Mark 14:3a
This is a short phrase, but it is so meaningful. So, who was Simon the leper with whom Jesus and His disciples spent the evening in Bethany? Let’s make a few observations.
First, he was obviously no longer a leper. He was not self isolated from people as the law would require if he was still a leper. He owned a house and was welcoming guests.
Second, he was known by name. The text calls him “Simon.” After his healing, he had become a devoted follower and friend of Jesus and His disciples.
Third, Jesus spent His final evening before the Passover with His disciples at the home of Simon the leper. Some of the people Jesus touched during His public ministry became close friends and associates. We sometimes miss this significant point.
Finally, though his exact identity is a guessing game, but we are pressured to look back to Mark 1:40-45 as the man who became known as Simon the leper. (See also Matthew 8:1-4)
He is the most likely choice. When Jesus was coming down from the mountain after giving His famous sermon, he was blocked by a leper bowing down before Him and saying, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.”
The leper made it clear that his healing by Jesus was not a question of power or ability. It came down to the will of Jesus. So, what is the will of Jesus related to healing?
The answer from Jesus was simple but profound. He reached out and touched him, and said, “I am willing, be cleansed.” (Mark 1:41-42)
I don’t want to force the text, but throughout the public ministry of Jesus, healing was always His Will. I cannot not find one case in the four gospels where Jesus did not heal the sick or deliver the oppressed. Sickness, diseases, injuries and demons never beat Him. He prevailed over them all.
Apparently, it was always His will to heal. Why? Because He is the Great Physician and by His stripes we were healed. (See 1 Peter 2:24, Hebrews 12:13; James 5:15; Isaiah 53:5; Psalm 107:20)
I’m not sure where the phrase came from that closes a prayer for healing by saying; “if it be Thy will.” In Matthew 26:39-42, Jesus prayed that way as He headed toward the cross. But that settled the doubt; “by His stripes we were healed.” Part of the reason Jesus went to the cross was for our healing. Again, He was willing.
God does not want us to be double minded when praying for healing. He wants us to pray in faith knowing His compassion, power and provision for healing. James even calls it “the prayer of faith.” (James 5:15-16) James was the one who warned about being double minded when praying. (James 1:6-8)
I believe Jesus wants many stories like that of Simon the leper. These are the stories that help advance the gospel.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
Sent from my iPhone
