At the end of Mark chapter one, Jesus cleanses a leper—one who is physically, socially, and spiritually regarded as an unclean outcast. To our amazement, despite leprosy being highly-contagious and incurable, Jesus reaches out and touches the man. He touches him! Why? Jesus is showing us that he’s not merely the one who brings cleansing; He is cleansing. This is a picture of the gospel. Because of who Jesus is and what he’s done, when you come into contact with him, you’re cleansed. At the beginning of the story the leper was the outcast while Jesus was on the inside. At the end, Jesus is the one in desolate places while the leper is on the inside, restored. Jesus saved him by becoming his substitute, by switching places. This is another part of the scene that alludes to the heart of the gospel—the substitutionary sacrifice of Jesus for our sins. On the cross, Jesus switched places with us. He took all the judgement, all the wrath, and all the guilt for our sin on himself, dying in our place. He did this so that we could be saved. The gospel says that not only did Jesus die, he also resurrected for us as our champion. He conquered satan, sin, and death. He took the wrath we deserve so we could get the love he deserves.