Jesus touches a leper
Luke 5:12-16
12 Once, when he was in one of the cities, there was a man covered with leprosy. When he saw Jesus, he bowed with his face to the ground and begged him, “Lord, if you choose, you can make me clean.” 13 Then Jesus stretched out his hand, touched him, and said, “I do choose. Be made clean.” Immediately the leprosy left him. 14 And he ordered him to tell no one. “Go,” he said, “and show yourself to the priest, and, as Moses commanded, make an offering for your cleansing, for a testimony to them.” 15 But now more than ever the word about Jesus spread abroad; many crowds would gather to hear him and to be cured of their diseases. 16 But he would withdraw to deserted places and pray.
Strict public health rules were in place regarding people who had leprosy. They were to self-isolate from everyone, which usually meant leaving their families and homes and living on the edge of town. Leprosy was believed to be highly contagious and self-isolation was the only means to prevent its spread. The priests in the community functioned as the public health nurses, the Old Testament described what they were to look for to distinguish between a rash and leprosy. The priests were also the only ones who could declare the leper was cured and disease free.
Leprosy was an isolating disease just as it was disease that disfigured people. This man was both disfigured (“covered with leprosy”, vs. 12) and believed to be contagious – and yet Jesus touched him. Jesus reached out in compassion and care and touched the disfigured, regarded as unclean, person. In response to the man’s plea – Jesus healed him, made him clean, so that the former leper could return to his home, his family, no longer needing to live in self-isolation.
Two applications of this passage come to mind:
a. What part of our lives do we keep hidden from others so they will not see it, because we are afraid that if they did see that part of us people would cut themselves off from us? What part of our lives do we want Jesus to heal? Will we like the leper cry out, “Lord, please heal me”?
b. In the midst of COVID who around us is cut off, isolated, blocked from connecting with others. While we might not be able to physically touch them as Jesus did, can we reach out and show care and compassion by words and deeds of kindness?
PRAYER:
God of grace, in mercy Jesus reached out his hand to touch the leper, we thank you that Jesus has also touched us, even though we are broken and disfigured. Thank you for your touch in our lives. Show us how we might reach out to touch others with your love. In Jesus’ name. Amen.