Thoughts for the Day

When Jesus had come down from the mountain, great crowds followed him; and there was a leper who came to him and knelt before him, saying, ‘Lord, if you choose, you can make me clean.’ He stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, ‘I do choose. Be made clean!’ Immediately his leprosy was cleansed. Then Jesus said to him, ‘See that you say nothing to anyone; but go, show yourself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.’

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

A week ago we looked at the healing of the ten lepers in Luke's Gospel (The ten lepers). Now we have the story in Matthew's Gospel of the healing of one leper. The two stories are very different. Leprosy was the only skin disease that was considered incurable, and once caught meant the person was effectively dead to their family and the wider society. If they came closer than six feet to anyone they would be driven away with sticks or by stoning. In the first story the lepers stand a far off and make no attempt to come too close. But in the healing of the lone leper he comes confidently into the crowd and kneels before Jesus. The Greek text says the leper having approached Jesus 'worshipped him'. The man knows that Jesus can heal him, but he does not demand to be healed, instead he says "Lord, if you choose, you can make me clean." He shows great humility and simply waits for a response.

The response is one no bystander could have ever expected, and didn't happen with the healing of the ten lepers.
Jesus stretches out his hand and touches the man, who is instantly healed. Was there a gasp by the crowd who watched? No-one would get within six feet of a leper let alone touch one. It was too dangerous. Jesus then instructs the man to fulfill the Law of Moses by showing himself to the priest and getting a certificate of exemption.

Perhaps we can apply this story to intercessions said to God, 'through Jesus Christ, our Lord':

• Confidence - approach Jesus with assurance, trusting in His promises.
• Worship - before making a request, worship Him.
• Humility - allow Him to choose the right response to the request.

Lord Jesus Christ,
all too often we come to You
tired and run-ragged
with a long list of requests.
We don't look at the whole picture,
but just see things from our
own perspective.
When we don't get the answer
we want, we can give up.
May we 'kneel' before You
in silent worship
and allow You to decide
what is the best answer,
and then go away rejoicing.
Amen.