Tempo de leitura:
Tamanho:
Index
Topic: The Miracles of Jesus
“A man with leprosy came and knelt before him and said, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.” Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” Immediately he was cleansed of his leprosy.” Matt 8:2,3
The goal is to awaken them to the Lord’s call to a life of sanctification and to lead them to seek forgiveness in Jesus, so that everything that hinders their communion with God may be purified.
Note: When studying the lesson, teachers should read Matt 8:1-4, I Pet 1:13-25 and I Pet 2:1-10.
Introduction
Let’s begin our lesson with a moment of reflection: “Is there anything in your life that you know doesn’t please God, but that you haven’t given up yet?” Maybe it’s something no one else knows about. But you know. And God knows, too. Today we’re going to learn about a man who knew he needed to be cleansed. He didn’t hide his condition; he went to Jesus. What did Jesus do for that man?
Development
There was a leper who had heard about Jesus. At that time, leprosy was a much-feared disease, because it was contagious and incurable. It could cause a loss of sensitivity to heat, cold, pain, and touch. According to the Law, a person declared to have leprosy was considered unclean and had to remain separated from others as long as he remained in that condition (Lev 13:44-46). That’s not the case today, since the disease is now curable and people can interact with others normally. Just imagine how difficult that man’s life must have been!
That day, Jesus came down from the mountain, and a large crowd followed him. It was then that the man with leprosy made a decision: he went to Jesus. When he came near the Lord, he worshiped him and made a request: “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.” Matt 8:2b. Pay attention to that man’s words. He recognized that Jesus had the power to cleanse him.
Then something wonderful happened! Jesus reached out, touched that man, and said: “I am willing.” And immediately he was cleansed (Matt 8:3). Hallelujah! Then Jesus told him to go to the priest and do what the Law required. Now he could return home, go to the temple, and be happy.
Now let’s apply this lesson to our lives. The condition of that leper represents sin, which contaminates our lives and cuts us off from fellowship with God. And we need to understand something important: sometimes sin begins with a small choice and, little by little, takes over our lives, causing us to lose the desire to seek God.
Sometimes it all starts with a video you know you shouldn’t watch. Then comes another one. An inappropriate conversation in the group chat. A lie to your parents. A friendship that’s leading you away from the Lord. And, little by little, what once bothered you may start to seem normal. So, before watching, participating, speaking, or sharing anything, we can ask ourselves: “Is this bringing me closer to God, or is it corrupting my heart?”
Sin must never become something normal for the Lord’s servant. The Word says: “But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” I Pet 1:15-16. Did you notice? “in all you do”. Sanctification isn’t just what we do inside the church. Sanctification should be reflected in the way we live. It’s what people see when you’re alone. It’s what you type on your cell phone. It’s the conversations you have with your friends. It’s how you treat your parents. It’s the content you follow on social media. It’s what you do when you think no one is watching…
God has called us to be holy. This means belonging to the Lord and not allowing anything that is contrary to His Word to rule our lives. Therefore, when faced with any setting, party, content, music, video, TV show, or conversation, we need to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s guidance so that we can discern what is not fitting for the life of a servant of the Lord.
In the coming days, for example, many places will be hosting Halloween parties. Halloween, known as “All Hallows’ Eve”, wasn’t invented to scare people or sell costumes. It originated in ancient pagan traditions that involved the belief that, during that time of year, the dead and other vengeful spirits could approach the world of the living. Over time, the celebration became commercialized, featuring costumes and symbols such as witches, ghosts, death, and other elements associated with fear and the spiritual world.
Even if his friends say it’s just a joke, the teenager who serves the Lord needs to understand the origins of this celebration and ask himself, “Does this please God?” On this subject, the Bible says: “Let no one be found among you … who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, practices witchcraft, … or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead. Anyone who does these things is detestable to the Lord; because of these same detestable practices the Lord your God will drive out those nations before you.” Deut 18:10-12.
And here’s a warning: When we begin to grow accustomed to what is profane — what is impure in the eyes of the Lord — it’s because we’re losing our sensitivity to the Holy Spirit. Like leprosy, sin can gradually take hold and make us insensitive to the voice of the Holy Spirit. What once bothered us no longer does. That is why we should not use “what everyone else does” as our standard, but rather what the Word of God teaches us.
Let the Holy Spirit guide your choices and give you the strength to say, “No. I won’t go.” “No. I won’t watch it.” “No. I won’t take part in that.” Not because you think you’re better than others, but because you belong to the Lord. The Word says: “Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.” Heb 12:14.
God calls us to a life of sanctification. Now you might be thinking, “I know there’s something I need to give up, but I just can’t seem to do it.” So remember that man. He needed to be cleansed. And what did he do? He went to Jesus. That’s what we need to learn from that man’s experience. Sanctification isn’t someone handing you a list and saying, “Don’t do this.” “Don’t watch that.” “Don’t go there.” The Lord wants to transform our hearts.
When the Holy Spirit shows you something that does not please God, don’t try to justify it. Acknowledge your sin, repent, and come to the Lord like that man did. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” I John 1:9.
Conclusion
Let this desire dwell in your heart: “Lord, make me clean!” And then? Choose to live a life of holiness. Every day, in your actions and choices, seek what pleases God. Make that decision today.
Like that man, you, too, belong to the Lord. So don’t let what separates you from God become usual in your life. Let this desire dwell in your heart: “Lord, make me clean!” And then? Choose to live a life of holiness. Every day, in your actions and choices, seek what pleases God. Make that decision today. “But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life.” Rom 6:22.
Suggested Praises: C950 I’ve come before you to confess; C919 Give me a heart that’s upright and humble; C1035 With God’s Holy Spirit Present in my life.
Question for Adolescents
Read 1 Peter, chapter 1, verses 15 and 16, and answer: At what times in our lives should we live in holiness? Answer: In all we do. “But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” I Pet 1:15-16.
