Musings About Leprosy
What most of us know about leprosy is that it was a really bad skin disease. The previously incurable disease wreaked havoc so long ago it's hard for us to wrap our heads around it today. During Bible times, it was completely incurable and effected more than skin but also blood and bones. The body and life of a leper literally rotted away. A leper was considered unclean and was isolated physically, socially and emotionally. We know now that leprosy spreads by airborne respiratory droplets. Sound familiar?
As I studied this passage for Sunday, my head and my heart went soaring to the many accounts of loved ones in hospitals fighting Covid-19. Like leprosy, it also is a cruel disease that has demanded its victims fight and even die alone. They too are isolated physically, socially and emotionally.
In Mark 1:40-45, we see that Jesus was busy in His earthly ministry and getting a lot of attention. So much so that He got the attention of a leper. While the leper should have been "socially distancing," he instead came right up to Jesus, knelt before Him and said "If you will, you can make me clean." That's pretty bold for someone with a disease that is highly contagious! But he was desperate and in Jesus, he saw hope.
Jesus had mercy on him, touched him, and said "I will; be clean." Immediately the leprosy was gone. But not before Jesus touched him! Jesus was not wearing a face mask or gloves, no PPE, but He touched this highly contagious man. That's what Jesus does! He touches us at our deepest need and brings us to where He is.
I began by saying that it's hard for us to imagine life with leprosy. Because of God's mercy and grace, it is now curable and we don't see it anymore. For us, it has been a vague picture of a disease with no human cure. We now have a new picture, Covid-19, one we can imagine more easily than we wish to. Life without Jesus is as deadly as having leprosy in Bible times. Hard to imagine? Try this: Life without Jesus is as deadly as having Covid-19 without a respirator.
Just like that leper, we need a rescuer.
Comments