Lepers in Jesus time were a culture unto themselves. You could be a wealthy person, but if you contracted leprosy, you had to leave your family, leave your synagogue, and live with all the other lepers. Leprosy was the great equalizer. Not only was it a wasting disease, but It was one everybody could see. Lepers had to cross the street when healthy people approached. They would cry out “unclean, unclean’ and even ring a bell to give fair warning of their tainted approach. Jesus knew the social, emotional, and spiritual cost of this disease, that must be why he healed one by touching him directly. Jesus had been traveling the countryside, gathering his disciples, and sharing his message of love and hope. As he entered a small town, a man came running up to him. This was something a leper never did. Running towards someone would be the last thing you would want to do as a leper. I have to believe that that this man knew Jesus would welcome him, maybe, just maybe, take his pain away. Jesus did just that, but the encounter got personal. Imagine the man, sliding to a stop on the hot dry rocky ground. He stumbles to Jesus’ feet, and with desperation, cries out ‘Lord if you are willing, you can make me clean’ Notice the leper didn’t ask to be healed. He used the word ‘Katharos’, which describes a process which removes stain and leaves an object clean, in a pure state. Maybe that term ‘clean’ just meant that the man wanted to be healed, but I like to think that he meant the request to be more that just a physical healing. Jesus saw the crowds approaching, and did not want this humble man to be caught up in a circus atmosphere, so he got right to work. ‘I am willing’ He said, then he did the strangest thing, he touched the leper! Jesus could have waved a hand, or just thought a thought, like he had before, and the man would be healed. Jesus knew that the man required more than just a healing, he needed to become clean inside as well. ‘ Be clean’ Jesus commanded, and just like that, white puffs of skin fell off, and new, living tissue was in place. I would also suggest that spiritually, the man felt clean for the first time as well. Wouldn’t you just want to jump up and down, pointing to your new skin tent, then back to Jesus, crying with joy over the possibilities this would be opening to you!! Jesus had another idea of how to respond. ‘Don’t’ tell anyone, but go and show yourself to the priests, offering sacrifices for your healing as Moses commanded, giving praises to God’. No public display of epidermis here, no TV spot on Doctor OZ, relating how new tissue feels after calloused, rotting flesh fell away. Jesus directs the man to respond in the way he needed to. Show the priest, and praise God. Why show the priest? First of all, to get away from the crowd, and their temporary approval and attention. God knows how we are wired this side of heaven. Instead of longing for God through the day, our broken hearts long for the approval we get when we think we look good enough to get it. If we get the nod, the hi, and the connection, we desperately look for it again, as we get the next connection fix for our souls. Jesus wants to break this cycle of demanding people to look at us, and turn our eyes inward and upwards. Inwards to discover why the second glance is too important, and upward to gain strength from our heavenly father, who sees us always, and loves what he sees!
This is where we come in. As christians, we are called by God to see people through his eyes of love, grace, mercy and acceptance. We are to look past outer clothing and body types to the core of a person, the place where should meets spirit, creation meets creator. Are you offended by overweight people, too skinny people, certain body types, nose or chin configurations? Do you look down on less styled dressed people, or make fun of those who have unique tastes in tattoos or piercings? The leper represents the people that the culture ( our christian culture included!) has rejected as untouchable, un reachable, and of no value. Jesus not only stops to interact, but actually touches the leper, making himself unclean in the process. Wow, think about that, a perfect, righteous, holy person willingly making himself publicly unclean in order to love another person created in the father’s image!
Secondly, Jesus sent him to the priest to establish proof of a real miracle. Everybody knows this man, that he was leprous, and that he should never be invited into the family or an upstanding jewish home. It would be hard to accept that he was truly healed unless an “expert” had deemed it so. Imagine the freedom the man felt as he strode to the temple. No need to call out “unclean, look out, here I come”. In this instance, there were no second looks, because the man looked like any other man that day. Imagine the relief when people passed him by with out a second look. This was one time he didn’t long for a second look! Imagine the feeling of knowing that tonight he would come home and be able to connect with his family without fear or repulsion. This is true healing from the inside out!
Maybe you’ve had a leper experience. Maybe your condition causes people to stare, or look away. Maybe your epidermis shows signs of stress, disease, or injury, and you are broken hearted when people cross over opposite the street where you walk. Reach out to the lover of your soul who sees you just as you are, and loves what he sees. Pray for family and church members who have learned how to really see people to reach out and touch you where you are. I can assure you that will be one prayer that is answered every time. But you need to be willing to risk your soul in response to people when they reach out. Don’t allow past hurts to steal God’s loving you through his body the church. Embrace the real lookers into your life, and celebrated God’s love expressed there.
Now, don’t go off and hug the next stranger you meet! They may not be safe, or in the mood for contact, no matter how huggable you are at the time. I suggest you ask God to point you to a person in your area of influence, the place you do your daily life in. Whether it is at work, home, neighbors, church civic clubs, sports events, wherever you are, ask God to point out one person this week who could use a healing touch of interest, encouragement, concern, or just friendly acknowledgement. See them through the creator’s eyes, and be that healing to them.
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