Healing the Leper

16Jan
A leper came to him begging him, and kneeling he said to him, ‘If you choose, you can make me clean.’ Moved with pity, Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, and said, ‘I do choose. Be made clean!’ Immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean.’
-Mark 1:40-42


People with leprosy were outcasts, contagious and considered unclean. They lived in isolation, were reduced to begging and suffered from a terrible medical condition. They were considered the lowest of the low. Leviticus 13-14 describes in great detail how leprosy was to be diagnosed by a priest including eight days of rituals and animal sacrifices to restore a person to a clean state.


Jesus defied and bypassed all these elaborate rituals. Jesus simply touched the believing leper, transmitted his holiness and wholeness, and made him clean. 

What is the nature of Jesus’ healing? First, it is for everyone, even those on the fringes of society. It involves suffering and with God’s help, the ability to live with, accept and transcend that suffering. Healing restores relationships and can lead to a healthy awareness of what is really important in life. Healing involves prayer and a whole lot of acceptance. It involves a change of heart or at least a softening of one’s hearts. It is truly believing, with every cell in our bodies, that we are loved and worthy of love. 

What would it be like if we all truly believed we were loved? 


Musical Reflection - I Will Change Your Name - The Nesblett Family


Loving God, we come to you, as did the person with leprosy, seeking healing. We know you have the power to heal and cleanse us. Help us let go of the doubts of our unworthiness. Help us to realize that you love us not because we are good or bad or because of anything we have done, or not done, but because you are Love itself. In your Son’s name we pray. Amen

LoveHealing

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