"In the region of Christ's ministry were many of these sufferers, and as the news of His work reached them, there is one in whose heart faith begins to spring up. If he could go to Jesus he might be healed. But how can he find Jesus? Doomed as he is to perpetual isolation, how can he present himself to the Healer? And will Christ heal him? Will He not, like the Pharisees, and even the physicians pronounce a curse upon him and warn him to flee from the haunts of men? MH 68.1"
"And, behold, there came a leper and worshipped him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. And Jesus put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will; be thou clean. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed."
EGW's passage describes a leper seeking healing from Jesus, mirroring the account in Matthew 8:2-3. The passage explores the leper's thoughts and feelings, amplifying the biblical narrative. The fear of rejection by religious leaders is also a thematic element present in both.
"He thinks of all that has been told him of Jesus. Not one who has sought His help has been turned away. The wretched man determines to find the Saviour. Though shut out from the cities, it may be that he can cross His path in some byway along the mountain roads, or find Him as He is teaching outside the towns. The difficulties are great, but this is his only hope. MH 68.2"
"And, behold, there came a leper and worshipped him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean."
EGW elaborates on the leper's determination to find Jesus, expanding on the brief mention in Matthew 8:2. The passage focuses on the leper's hope and the obstacles he faces, which are implicit in the biblical account.
"Standing afar off, the leper catches a few words from the Saviour's lips. He sees Him laying His hands upon the sick. He sees the lame, the blind, the paralytic, and those dying of various maladies rise up in health, praising God for deliverance. His faith strengthens. Nearer and yet nearer he approaches to the listening throng. The restrictions laid upon him, the safety of the people, the fear with which all men regard him, are alike forgotten. He thinks only of the blessed hope of healing. MH 68.3"
"And he put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will: be thou clean. And immediately the leprosy departed from him."
The EGW passage describes a leper approaching Jesus for healing, echoing the event in Luke 5:13. While not a direct quote, the thematic connection is strong and amplifies the biblical narrative.