BACKGROUND MATERIAL

There is considerable variety to the miracles performed by Christ. One was performed in a synagogue (curing the demoniac), another in a home (healing Peter's mother-in-law), and this one he performed on a public thoroughfare. While Jesus and his disciples were walking, a man afflicted with the terrible disease of leprosy approached them. Fear of leprosy was so great that strict laws had been passed concerning the actions of one so afflicted. The law demanded that lepers should isolate themselves from society, and keep themselves some distance from other people lest they contaminate them. A leper was called upon to shout out "unclean" when approaching others, to warn them to keep their distance. A leper was to come no closer than six feet to anyone. But this man despera…