Mark 1:40-45 - The Cost of Cleansing

Sin is like an irremovable stain—no matter how hard we try, we can’t scrub it away. Just as a ruined shirt reminds us of our inability to remove stains, sin leaves us feeling unclean before a holy God. The story of the leper in Mark 1 mirrors our own condition: isolated, broken, and powerless to cleanse ourselves. Like him, we must ask the question—can anyone remove the stain of our sin?

The leper’s boldness in coming to Jesus demonstrates a desperate faith—he knows Jesus has the power to cleanse him. His disease, a picture of sin, was evident to all, but often, we minimize our sin, treating it as a minor irritation rather than a deadly condition. C.S. Lewis warned in The Screwtape Letters that the enemy deceives us into thinking our sin is trivial. Yet, Scripture shows that sin, like leprosy, defiles us completely and leaves us in desperate need of cleansing.

Jesus’ response to the leper is shocking—He reaches out and touches him. Instead of becoming unclean, Jesus’ holiness overcomes impurity. In His compassion, He moves toward the outcast, embodying the very heart of the gospel. Our sin does not repel Jesus; rather, He willingly takes it upon Himself. The ultimate exchange happens at the cross, where Jesus, the spotless one, trades places with sinners, bearing our shame so we might be cleansed.

The healed leper, despite Jesus’ command, disobeys, yet his story foreshadows the price Jesus would pay. The leper, once an outcast, is restored, while Jesus is driven into isolation. This is the gospel—Jesus takes our place so we can be made clean. The call is clear: recognize the filth of sin, stop trying to fix it on your own, and run to the only one who can cleanse you. Jesus’ invitation remains—”I will; be clean.” Will you come to Him?

Main Point – Only Jesus can cleanse us, so come to Jesus and be clean!

Outline – 3 movements that unfold in this encounter…

1. The Cleansing the Leper Needs (v40)
2. The Cure that Jesus Provides (vv41-42)
3. The Cost that Jesus Pays (vv43-45)

Study Questions

1. What does the leper’s approach to Jesus teach us about faith? How can we develop a faith that is both humble and bold—one that fully trusts in Christ’s power and willingness to cleanse us?
2. In what ways are we tempted to minimize our sin and fail to see it for what it truly is? What means of grace has God given us to help us recognize and respond rightly to our sin?
3. The healed leper disobeyed Jesus’ command and spread the news on his own terms. How does this challenge us to submit to Christ’s authority, even when we think we know better? Are there specific areas in your life where you struggle with obedience?
4. Jesus traded places with the leper, foreshadowing the cross. How does this exchange deepen your understanding of what Christ has done for you? How should this shape the way you live daily in His freedom and cleansing?
5. What other encounters in the Gospels reveal Jesus’ heart of compassion toward sinners? How does His compassion bring comfort to you personally, especially in areas where you struggle with guilt or shame?