The Next level of On-the-Job Training with Jesus
David W Palmer
(Matthew 8:1 DKJV) When he (Jesus) came down from the mountain, great crowds followed him.
Phase one of Jesus’s apprenticeship program was, “You follow and watch me” (Mat. 4:18–25). During this phase, the disciples observed the Master as he taught, preached, healed, and set people free. They followed as he led them around the whole Galilee region, demonstrating his ministry and drawing huge crowds:
(Matthew 4:18–25 DKJV) As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and Andrew his brother, throwing a net into the sea for they were fishermen. {19} And he said to them, “Come on, follow me, and I will make you competent at fishing for men.” {20} And immediately they left the nets, and followed him. … {23} And Jesus led them around the whole Galilee region, teaching in their local synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. {24} And his fame spread throughout the whole of Syria. And they brought to him all sick people who were afflicted with various diseases and tortured with pain, those who were demonized, those who were lunatic, and those who had paralysis; and he healed them. {25} And great crowds followed him from Galilee, Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, and from beyond the Jordan River.
After they had seen the potential of his ministry and caught the vision to be like him, Jesus took his trainees to a mountaintop for a classroom-style teaching retreat. After all, by now they were curious about how to do what he was doing, and they were eager to learn. This prepared them for phase two of their training to be like him. Phase 1: you watch me. Phase 2: we do it together. Phase 3: I watch you. Phase 4: I go back to heaven and you take over. P.S. I’ll still be with you to the end of the age (Mat. 28:20).
After the classroom training concluded, Jesus led his apprentices back down from the mountain; the “great crowds” again “followed him.” Suddenly, the first opportunity for on-the-job training presented itself:
(Matthew 8:2–4 DKJV) And behold, a leper came and worshipped him, saying, “Lord, if you are willing, you can cleanse me.” {3} And Jesus reached out his hand and touched him, saying, “I am willing; be clean.” And immediately his leprosy was cleansed. {4} Then Jesus said to him, “See that you tell no one, but go and show yourself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded for a testimony to them” (Lev. 14:1–32).
An opportunity to learn about God’s will in healing befell them. A leper came to Jesus. Notice his approach: “and worshipped him, saying, ‘Lord …’” The leprous man came with worship; he came prostrating himself with the body language of servitude, humility, and submission; he came showing total dependence on Jesus, and he came confessing that Jesus is Lord—implying that he was being influenced by the Holy Spirit (See: 1 Cor 12:#), and that he was expecting to be instructed by Jesus.
This leper must have wanted healing for a long time. In their generation, leprosy wouldn’t leave without a miracle. He came to the right person: God, the living word, the anointed one and his anointing—the Lord Jesus Christ. He was willing to obey the Lord, but he had one nagging doubt; he knew God could heal him—that is, he knew God had the power and ability to heal—but was he willing?
Is God willing not only to heal here and now, but most importantly, is he willing to heal me? This is an issue that goes to the depth of our being. It’s about who I am—my true identity. It’s also about where I stand with God; and it’s about my value in his eyes. Am I really right with him? Does he really love me? Does he even know I exist, or even notice me? Is God really willing to heal little ol’ me, here and now? Obviously, I don’t deserve it; and I could never earn it. I have nothing with which to pay for it; but will he do it anyway?
