A Leper Cleansed
The first healing specifically described in Matthew's Gospel is the cleansing of a leper who worshipped Jesus and said that if Jesus chose to do so, he could make him clean. “Uncleanness” was the Law's way of describing those with leprosy. Jesus replied, “I will be thou clean” while touching him (something prohibited in the Law of Moses, Leviticus 7:21). And immediately the man was “cleansed” of the leprous spots over his body. Thus Jesus demonstrates — immediately after sermonizing that the smallest letter of the Law of Moses should not be abrogated but must be fulfilled — that he is the Lord of the Law, not its slave.
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Though it is widely believed that the healings were done mainly to demonstrate his messianic claims and to verify his teaching, Jesus performed many healings upon his arrival in Galilee, before choosing his first disciples and giving his most important teaching sermon.
Though Jesus had access to all power, the power he is demonstrating here is similar to powers earlier prophets also used. His attitude here in the early days of his ministry is “come and see.” And as the passage says, large crowds chose to go along, wanting to see more wonders and hear more encouraging words. Anyone who advocated the Golden Rule, as Jesus did, could not avoid the imperative to use any power he had to help those humbly asking for help. Compassion and mercy were the keystones of his ministry, not optional virtues.
