Prior to the formation of the World Health Organization, in the days of the Old Testament, the Book of Leviticus provided guidelines to prevent the spread of disease. While the structure to meet these regulations did not happen over night, Israel began to distinguish the clean from the unclean. Banished from entering the gates of Jerusalem, the unclean had to wait until they were officially cleared by a priest before they could resume a normal life inside the city.
Forced to live as a social outcast, lepers comprised a portion of this band of nomads. Stricken with leprosy, symptoms include skin sores, nerve damage, and muscle weakness that worsens over time. Once an individual develops skin lesions that are lighter than the normal skin color, priests would begin isolating people. To prevent contamination, the clean shouted, “unclean, unclean” as a leper approached, warning the healthy to scatter, fearful of contracting leprosy. Remaining isolated for health reasons is one thing, but public humiliation made lepers feel lower than dirt.
After rising early in the morning to pray, Mark 1:35, the Holy Spirit led Jesus to a leper in Mark 1:40. When a man reaches desperation, there is nothing he won’t do to achieve his heart’s desire. Alone, depressed and void of any physical contact, this leper risks further embarrassment, on his hands and needs, crying out to Jesus. Instead of running away, Jesus stops, listens and reaches out to touch this man. Inside this leper’s heart, Jesus’ compassion probably moved him to tears. Likely touched for first time in years, I can see this man’s face transform from a frown into a smile.
Whether you can currently in good health or battling a cold, we all need to be touched by Jesus. While you may be good at faking the pain inside your heart or wear your emotions on your sleeves, either way you need the tender touch of Jesus. Like the leper in Mark 1, may God make you clean this day, cleansing your heart, soul and mind! May your heart experience joy like the celebration that went on deep inside this leper’s heart!
by Jay Mankus
ExpressYourself4Him 