Focus

Prepare yourself to discern what is and what is not of God today. Still yourself so you can hear how God is calling you.

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Read

Luke 5:12-16 (NRSV)

Once, when he was in one of the cities, there was a man covered with leprosy. When he saw Jesus, he bowed with his face to the ground and begged him, “Lord, if you choose, you can make me clean.” Then Jesus stretched out his hand, touched him, and said, “I do choose. Be made clean.” Immediately the leprosy left him. And he ordered him to tell no one. “Go,” he said, “and show yourself to the priest, and, as Moses commanded, make an offering for your cleansing, for a testimony to them.” But now more than ever the word about Jesus spread abroad; many crowds would gather to hear him and to be cured of their diseases. But he would withdraw to deserted places and pray.

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Reflect

In Jesus’ day, leprosy was a dreaded disease, much like AIDS was a few years back before treatment became available. Those who had leprosy were made to live apart from other people so as to avoid spreading the disease through human contact. What must life have been like for the leper Jesus encountered? What would life be like separated from all people, including family? How would such a person make a living? How would the leper acquire the necessities of life such as food and clothing? It was undoubtedly a lonely existence.

When the leper met up with Jesus, he said, “If you choose…” There was faith in that leper, wasn’t there? How did he hear of Jesus? How did the news of this traveling rabbi reach a lepers’ colony? Yet, it did, and the leper somehow knew God had blessed this man Jesus with the ability to heal.

As for Jesus, he chose to heal that faith-filled one and instructed him to fulfill the law for one cleansed of leprosy—and to tell no one. Would you have been able to keep that good news to yourself?

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Pray

Lord God, you are the Great Physician, and even today you orchestrate healing among your people. Thank you for loving your people enough to see to our care and comfort. Thank you for showing compassion to those who need you the most. Today we ask your blessings on those who have life-threatening, life-altering diseases, especially those who are quarantined, keeping them removed from friends and family. They need you so much. Amen.

Go with God.