The Love of Law & The Law of Love Seen in Jesus - Mk. 1:40-45

Church of the Redeemer - Osterville, Massachusetts Elder Bob Earle - 09/13/2026 In Mark 1:40–45, a man full of leprosy comes before Jesus with a simple but profound request: “If you will, you can make me clean.” The leper does not doubt Jesus’ power. His question is whether Jesus is willing to show mercy to him. Christ’s response reveals both his compassion and his authority: he reaches out, touches the unclean man, and says, “I will; be clean.” In this sermon, we consider how God’s law and God’s love meet perfectly in Jesus. Christ’s compassion does not disregard God’s law, and his holiness does not prevent him from drawing near to the unclean. The passage concludes with a remarkable reversal: the cleansed man is able to return to the community while Jesus is driven into the desolate places. This points us toward the greater exchange of the gospel—Christ goes outside the camp and bears our shame so that sinners may be cleansed and brought near to God. #Mark1 #JesusChrist #Gospel #ReformedBaptist #ChristianSermon #Grace #BibleTeaching #Christ