Luke 5:12-16 The Message
Invitation to a Changed Life
12 One day in one of the villages there was a man covered with leprosy. When he saw Jesus he fell down before him in prayer and said, “If you want to, you can cleanse me.”
13 Jesus put out his hand, touched him, and said, “I want to. Be clean.” Then and there his skin was smooth, the leprosy gone.
14-16 Jesus instructed him, “Don’t talk about this all over town. Just quietly present your healed self to the priest, along with the offering ordered by Moses. Your cleansed and obedient life, not your words, will bear witness to what I have done.” But the man couldn’t keep it to himself, and the word got out. Soon a large crowd of people had gathered to listen and be healed of their sicknesses. As often as possible Jesus withdrew to out-of-the-way places for prayer.
Word of God for the Children of God.
Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.
During the time of Jesus leprosy was seen as a condemnable sickness.
To be sick with leprosy was perceived by many as a punishment from God.
That is why those who were sick with leprosy kept their distance from the people because they were labeled to be shameful and sinful.
In Jesus’ day, lepers were considered untouchables.
Leprosy was a highly infectious skin disease.
God had given strict instructions for anyone with leprosy:
“When anyone has a swelling or a rash or shiny spot on their skin that may be a defiling skin disease . . . the priest . . . shall pronounce them ceremonially unclean. . . . As long as they have the disease they remain unclean. They must live alone; they must live outside the camp” (Leviticus 13:2-3, 46).
In our Scripture reading today, Jesus reaches out to touch a leper.
It was something unheard of.
A leper was unclean and was not allowed to live with his family or in society.
He was destitute, homeless, lonely for human contact and interaction, a smile, a simple wave of a hand communicating to him “hello or God bless you, sir.”
To touch a leprous person was to become unclean and untouchable yourself.
But that’s why Jesus came and acted as he did—where others will observe, be horrified by, his daring to reach out to people who were labeled untouchable.
In our reading for today, the leper didn’t want to be an outcast anymore.
Hoping against hope, He took a risk that Jesus might take a risk on him.
From the dusty ground, the leper uttered his prayer to the visiting Rabbi:
“Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.”
This was the trusting prayer of a desperate man looking for restoration.
Jesus didn’t react as so many had done before—he moved toward the man rather than away.
He reached out and touched the man.
Jesus’ words;
“I am willing. . . . Be clean!” set into motion a transformation from the Savior who was not repelled by the man’s instinctive response: “I am untouchable.”
But how did the man in our gospel who was sick with leprosy behave?
Upon seeing Jesus he did not run away from Him, he instead went towards Jesus.
Pleaded with Jesus to cure him with his dreaded disease.
And as we read, Jesus did not refuse the sick man, he cured him immediately.
We are called to have the same attitude as that of Christ Jesus. Philippians 2:5-8
We are called to act and respond with the same attitude as that of Christ Jesus. Matthew 5:14-16, Matthew 9:20-22, Matthew 25:31-46, Acts 10:20-26, Philippians 4:8-9, Galatians 6:7-10, 2 Timothy 2:1-7.
In what ways have you been, do you need to become more inspired, empowered to reach out in prayer to God, to be a light on that path, through which the Lord can reach out his hands to touch a lonely, destitute shoulder and reveal himself?
Psalm 119:105-112 The Message
105-112 By your words I can see where I’m going;
they throw a beam of light on my dark path.
I’ve committed myself and I’ll never turn back
from living by your righteous order.
Everything’s falling apart on me, God;
put me together again with your Word.
Adorn me with your finest sayings, God;
teach me your holy rules.
My life is as close as my own hands,
but I don’t forget what you have revealed.
The wicked do their best to throw me off track,
but I don’t swerve an inch from your course.
I inherited your book on living; it’s mine forever—
what a gift! And how happy it makes me!
I concentrate on doing exactly what you say—
I always have and always will.
Do you need a touch from the Master?
Do you need his cleansing?
He is walking in your direction.
Let him touch you.
Become that Leprous individual,
Jesus’ amazing touch of love heals the very thing keeping each of us in hiding.
In the Name of God, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit …
Praying ….
Psalm 119:25-40 The Message
25-32 I’m feeling terrible—I couldn’t feel worse!
Get me on my feet again. You promised, remember?
When I told my story, you responded;
train me well in your deep wisdom.
Help me understand these things inside and out
so I can ponder your miracle-wonders.
My sad life’s dilapidated, a falling-down barn;
build me up again by your Word.
Barricade the road that goes Nowhere;
grace me with your clear revelation.
I choose the true road to Somewhere,
I post your road signs at every curve and corner.
I grasp and cling to whatever you tell me;
God, don’t let me down!
I’ll run the course you lay out for me
if you’ll just show me how.
33-40 God, teach me lessons for living
so I can stay the course.
Give me insight so I can do what you tell me—
my whole life one long, obedient response.
Guide me down the road of your commandments;
I love traveling this freeway!
Give me an appetite for your words of wisdom,
and not for piling up loot.
Divert my eyes from toys and trinkets,
invigorate me on the pilgrim way.
Affirm your promises to me—
promises made to all who fear you.
Deflect the harsh words of my critics—
but what you say is always so good.
See how hungry I am for your counsel;
preserve my life through your righteous ways!
Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.
Loving God, Living God, Loving Hope, Living Hope, Loving Living Life His Way! "Many things are possible for the person who has hope. Even more is possible for the person who has faith. And still more is possible for the person who knows how to love. But everything is possible for the person who practices all three virtues." - Brother Lawrence (1605-1691), Practicing the Presence of God (1692). 