Though this act of cleansing the Leper is by Matthew recorded as the first of CHRIST'S miracles, yet we have no authority so to conclude, for John records the first miracle to have been at the marriage feast. John 2:14. And Mark and Luke do not place it in the same order. Mark 1:40; Luke 5:12. And some have thought that this man was Simon the Leper. Matthew 26:6. But the chief points to be regarded in the history of this man's cleansing will be more to our purpose to attend to. The leprosy was a disease so peculiar, that it was always considered as a mark of divine displeasure on those who were visited by it. Hence Miriam, the sister of Aaron was smitten by it. Numbers 12:10, etc. Gehazi the servant of Elisha. 2 Kings 5:27. Uzziah the king of Judah. 2 Chronicles 26:19, etc. And as the disease was considered as coming from the Lord in judgment, so it was deemed unlawful by the Jews in any to attempt to heal it. This was the Lord's sole prerogative. 2 Kings 5:7. Add to these, the unhappy persons afflicted by it were shut out, and precluded all civil and religious communion.
Now what the leprosy is to the body, such is sin to the soul. None but God can pardon the sinner, and nothing but the blood of Christ can cleanse the sinner. So that the whole of our nature, by reason of sin, is leprosy before God. The representation of this cleansing was set forth under the Law. Leviticus 14:1. But it is the Gospel of CHRIST, which gives us the only possible cure in the person, work, and righteousness of God our Savior. Ezekiel 36:25, etc. 1 John 1:7
This poor creature, which came to JESUS, is the representative of every poor sinner, when convinced of the leprosy of sin, from the teaching of GOD the HOLY GHOST. Such an one is convinced of CHRIST'S ability, because God the Son hath taught him who CHRIST and what CHRIST is able to perform. But it appears, that this man's faith was but slender; for though he had no doubt of CHRIST'S ability, yet he had doubts whether the SON of GOD would exercise it towards him. Lord, (said he) if thou wilt thou canst make me clean! I beg the Reader to remark this weakness of faith. Perhaps my Reader knows somewhat of the same in his own experience. And if so, may the Lord put a cry into his heart, that he may say with the Apostles, Lord! increase our faith! But when he hath done this, let him look unto JESUS, in his tenderness to this poor man, and observe, that the weakness of his faith, did not restrain CHRIST'S mercy and power. For we are told, JESUS put forth his hand and touched him, saying, I will, be thou clean: and immediately his leprosy was cleansed. I beg the Reader to observe with me, not only the gracious act of CHRIST'S healing him, but touching him also in doing it. Touching a leper! Yes! Jesus, though made in the likeness of sinful flesh, contracted none of our pollutions when taking our flesh. His unspotted purity could not be defiled by an union with our nature. The sun shines, and imparts all its warmings, healings, life-giving properties, but yet contracts no defilement from the dung-hill objects to which it communicates those blessings. And JESUS sheds his blissful, sin-withering, soul-cleansing influence, without being tainted with the maladies of defiled churches, and defiled souls, into which he shines, and on which he ariseth, as the Sun of righteousness, with healing in his wings. Malachi 4:2
The precept which the Lord gave him, to tell no man of his cure, seems to have been intended, not with a view to conceal the knowledge of the mercy he had received from the world; but only that he should first make it known to the priest, as had been enjoined by the law. Our first acknowledgments for all mercies, and especially for Spiritual mercies, in the salvation of our souls by the LORD JESUS CHRIST, are due to the LORD. Jesus, our Almighty High Priest, the Author and Giver of our blessings, is first to be eyed and acknowledged in our blessings. But when this is done, it is a suited frame of mind to call upon the whole world to the contemplation of the divine goodness towards us. 0 come hither and hearken, all ye that fear GOD, and I will tell you what he hath done for my soul. Psalms 66:16.