What does Mark 1:42 mean?

In Capernaum, Jesus' reputation as a teacher was quickly replaced by His fame as a healer. Instead of sitting in amazement at His words (Mark 1:22), the people inundated Him with requests for healing (Mark 1:32–34). Jesus' response was to leave so He could teach in other places. But even in His travels between cities a man with leprosy finds Him and requests healing.

The process in Leviticus 13—14 regarding diagnosing leprosy and then declaring the leprosy healed is a long ordeal. The priests had to be experts in different types of skin ailments and be able to recognize which indicated leprosy. When Jesus speaks, the man with leprosy is healed "immediately." There is no process, as with Naaman (2 Kings 5). There is no waiting period or need for medication. The man is instantly and completely healed. This miracle could only be attributed to the work and touch of Jesus.

This same instantaneous healing occurs when we accept Christ as our savior. We may still have physical ailments and struggle with sin as we grow in our Christian walk, but spiritually, we are healed immediately. Nothing else is required—not baptism, classes, donations, or even public proclamations. God sees our desire to be worthy to worship Him and be in His presence, and He responds. There was nothing the man with leprosy could have done to be made whole and clean except ask Jesus. It's the same with us.