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It must have been a lonely and a very emotionally painful life for a leper. Imagine the pain that would have occurred when a father or a daughter became a leper and was excluded from the city. How would you feel if you were a leper? How did parents, a wife, or the children feel when they had to talk to a family member six feet way? Also, it must have been difficult to buy goods from another person. The person selling the merchandise would need to drop the item on the ground and then step away before the leper could go and pick it up. If there was a disagreement or a crime committed against a leper, did the local policemen ignore them for fear of being defiled?
This reminds me of the time that I visited a person in an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and I was told to put on a face mask, gown, and blue gloves. The coverings were for my protection as well as for the protection of the patient. With another patient, I had to wear a gown and gloves. Then before I left, I had to wash my hands with anti-bacterial soap. God implemented the guidelines in order to protect the leper and those around him/her. But the religious leaders - the rabbis - added to the Word of God and made the life of a leper more difficult.
Jesus’ Response. The gospel of Mark tells us that when the man saw Jesus, he fell to his knees. Matthew says that he bowed down. Luke pulled it all together and stated that the man ended up with his face to the ground. The man fell to his knees and bowed down with his face to the ground. Then he said, “If You are willing, You can make me clean.”
. . . and when he saw Jesus, he fell on his face and implored Him, saying, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.” (NASB) Luke 5:12b How did Jesus feel towards this human being that the rabbis would not go near? The Holy Spirit tells us in the gospel of Mark.
Moved with compassion, Jesus stretched out His hand . . .” (NASB) Mark 1:41 |
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| Life & Heart of Jesus | |||||
