Sixth Sunday after the Epiphany |
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Scripture |
Mark 1:40-45 40 A leper came to him begging him, and kneeling he said to him, “If you choose, you can make me clean.” 41 Moved with pity Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, and said to him, “I do choose. Be made clean!” 42 Immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean. 43 After sternly warning him he sent him away at once, 44 saying to him, “See that you say nothing to anyone; but go, show yourself to the priest, and offer for your cleansing what Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.” 45 But he went out and began to proclaim it freely, and to spread the word, so that Jesus could no longer go into a town openly, but stayed out in the country; and people came to him from every quarter.
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Devotional |
This story has at least two differences for other stories of healing. This story lacks a specific location such as is often in stories of healing. Mark identifies the locations in the synagogue, in a house, etc. but now he makes no identification. This story has two rebels. Jesus acts with a deep feeling of compassion and he touches a leper. By touching the leper, Jesus violates a taboo. The man who is healed violates Jesus’ command by talking about the healing. Jesus chooses to demonstrate a behavior that is humble rather than self-seeking. The rebels in this story attract my attention. How do things change if we continue following the same pattern day after day? Jesus broke the rules to bring change. Those in power attempt to avoid change. Jesus and the leper brought change. Most time change is not comfortable and un-welcomed by those in charge. Even those of us with little power, attempt to retain it. What does this story tell us about Jesus as a healer? Jesus was a traditional healer who was interested in healing both illness and disease. Disease refers to what is physically wrong with a person (e.g. leprosy) while illness refers to the social consequences of the disease (e.g. isolation, being cut off from friends, and family). 1 Jesus’ healing of the leper is a demonstration of how both illness and disease are cured. The man’s disease is gone so his health is restored and normal. The man was advised to show himself to the priest so that he could be restored to his community. He does not follow Jesus’ instructions but one would hope that sooner or later he would be restored in his community. This story is a reflection of the way we sometime respond to God. We seek God’s healing and assistance but following our receiving we fail to follow through. Discipleship includes both receiving and obeying. The discipline to follow through on Jesus’ instructions will be demonstrated by his disciples again and again. Experience seems to be our mode of learning than by example 1 William R. HerzogII, Prophet and Teacher. Louisville : Westminster John Knox Press, 2005. p. 21 |