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The Cleansing of the Leper: Difference between revisions
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|'''Aftermath''' | |'''Aftermath''' | ||
|The leper spreads the | |The leper spreads the 'false gospel' (of the flesh) widely, forcing Jesus into secluded places. | ||
|No mention of Jesus withdrawing, just the leper obeying. | |No mention of Jesus withdrawing, just the leper obeying. [1] | ||
|Jesus | |The leper spreads the 'false gospel' (of the flesh) widely, forcing Jesus into secluded places. | ||
|} | |} | ||
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#* Stresses the '''requirement to follow Mosaic Law''' (important for a Jewish audience). | #* Stresses the '''requirement to follow Mosaic Law''' (important for a Jewish audience). | ||
# '''Luke (Written Even Later – Emphasis on Jesus vs. Religious Leaders & Universal Healing)''' | # '''Luke (Written Even Later – Emphasis on Jesus vs. Religious Leaders & Universal Healing)''' | ||
#* '''Adds that the man was “full of leprosy”''' | #* '''Adds that the man was “full of leprosy”''' invoking the law of the leper being covered with leprosy. | ||
#* Highlights '''Jesus’ withdrawal to pray''', | #* Highlights '''Jesus’ withdrawal to pray''', finishing the picture of the leper and the cross by being cast out. | ||
#* Focuses more on the '''ongoing tension between Jesus and the religious leaders'''. | #* Focuses more on the '''ongoing tension between Jesus and the religious leaders'''. | ||
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# '''The Leper as a Picture of Christ''' | # '''The Leper as a Picture of Christ''' | ||
#* Just as '''the leper was outcast''', Jesus was '''cast out of the city''' at the crucifixion. | #* Just as '''the leper was outcast''', Jesus was '''cast out of the city''' at the crucifixion. (he finished the 'play' by withdrawing. | ||
#* Jesus '''touched the unclean''', just as He '''became sin for us''' (2 Cor 5:21). | #* Jesus '''touched the unclean''', just as He '''became sin for us''' (2 Cor 5:21). | ||
#* The leper’s healing '''foreshadows Jesus’ resurrection'''—a return from impurity to life. | #* The leper’s healing '''foreshadows Jesus’ resurrection'''—a return from impurity to life. | ||
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# '''The Irony of Jesus Swapping Places With the Leper''' | # '''The Irony of Jesus Swapping Places With the Leper''' | ||
#* The '''leper is restored to society''', while '''Jesus is forced into isolation'''—mirroring the '''exchange of the cross''' (He took our place). | #* The '''leper is restored to society''', while '''Jesus is forced into isolation'''—mirroring the '''exchange of the cross''' (He took our place). | ||
#* The '''leper spreads the news''' about Jesus, while Jesus’ mission required '''silence until the cross'''. | #* The '''leper spreads the news''' about Jesus, while Jesus’ mission required '''silence until the cross'''. It is a 'false' gospel since it focused on the flesh only. | ||
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** '''The leper becomes clean → Jesus becomes the outcast.''' | ** '''The leper becomes clean → Jesus becomes the outcast.''' | ||
** '''Jesus touches death (sin) but remains pure → Resurrection power over sin.''' | ** '''Jesus touches death (sin) but remains pure → Resurrection power over sin.''' | ||
== [1] == | |||
Matthew does not mention Jesus withdrawing because his portrait of Israel does not require it. In Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus is depicted as the fulfillment of Israel—the true and obedient Son of God (Matthew 2:15, quoting Hosea 11:1). His focus is on Jesus’ authority as the Messiah who cleanses impurity and restores proper worship within the framework of the Law. | |||
=== '''Why Doesn't Matthew Mention Jesus Withdrawing?''' === | |||
# '''Matthew Emphasizes Fulfillment, Not Conflict''' | |||
#* In Mark and Luke, Jesus’ withdrawal highlights increasing opposition and the tension between His growing fame and His mission. | |||
#* But in Matthew, the healing of the leper is part of a structured series of miracles (Matthew 8–9) that '''prove Jesus as the Messianic King'''. | |||
#* There is no need to highlight Jesus’ withdrawal because '''the focus is on the proper fulfillment of the Law''' through His command to go to the priest. | |||
# '''Matthew’s Israel is Centered on Jesus as the True Priest''' | |||
#* Matthew is demonstrating that '''Jesus is the One who declares people clean'''—the leper is sent to the priest, but Jesus is the true priest who makes him clean in the first place. | |||
#* Since Jesus represents '''Israel fulfilling its role''', He does not need to withdraw—His actions are perfectly aligned with the Law. | |||
# '''Matthew’s Picture of Israel Focuses on the Faithful Remnant, Not Rejection''' | |||
#* Mark and Luke emphasize '''Israel’s growing rejection of Jesus''', requiring Him to withdraw. | |||
#* But Matthew presents Jesus as '''calling and restoring the faithful remnant''' of Israel. | |||
#* The focus is not on Jesus avoiding crowds, but on His '''teaching and fulfilling prophecy''' as Israel’s King. | |||
=== '''What in Matthew’s Picture of Israel Doesn’t Require Withdrawal?''' === | |||
* Israel, as Matthew presents it, is '''not yet in full opposition to Jesus'''. | |||
* Instead, Jesus is fulfilling Israel’s role by '''bringing restoration''', as seen in His emphasis on Mosaic Law. | |||
* Since Matthew portrays '''Jesus as the authoritative Messiah who restores Israel''', there is no need to emphasize opposition or retreat. Instead, the moment highlights His '''Messianic authority over uncleanness''' and '''His fulfillment of the Law’s requirements'''. | |||
