Saved by Jesus
A Gospel Enquiry
Introduction
We have to be careful with how we interpret the Gospel when we read it. There is much more to a simple description of an event in Jesus’ life than meets the eye, so to speak.
For instance, in the world of Jesus, leprosy meant a range of skin infections that were transmissible. In Mosaic Law, only the healthy could participate in worship of Yahweh; infected people were excluded and were isolated from the community. They could only return after being pronounced clean by a priest, whose task it was to administer the law; priests were not physicians.
The leper in Mark’s story was desperate; he should have isolated himself from all human contact, but chose to present himself to Jesus to be cured. It was believed that the Messiah would have the power to heal the sick. The leper believed that Jesus could heal him.
Jesus knew what was in the Book of Leviticus about leprosy, yet he chose to do what was forbidden. He made himself unclean by touching the leper. This simple action, relational in nature, heals and restores.
Made whole again through his encounter with Jesus, the man chooses to ignore the Law of Moses. Instead, he proclaims the Good News.
The theological intent of the writer of the Gospel is clear for all to see: the Messiah has come to heal the sick, to give sight to the blind and to free all who are imprisoned by sin.
The Gospel
A leper came to Jesus and pleaded on his knees: ‘If you want to’ he said ‘you can cure me.’ Feeling sorry for him, Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him. ‘Of course I want to!’ he said. ‘Be cured!’ And the leprosy left him at once and he was cured. Jesus immediately sent him away and sternly ordered him, ‘Mind you say nothing to anyone, but go and show yourself to the priest, and make the offering for your healing prescribed by Moses as evidence of your recovery.’ The man went away, but then started talking about it freely and telling the story everywhere, so that Jesus could no longer go openly into any town, but had to stay outside in places where nobody lived. Even so, people from all around would come to him. (Mark 1:40-45)
The Enquiry
See
What happens in this story from Mark’s Gospel? Are there other events in the Gospel that are similar to this story? Name the elements that are common in stories about Jesus healing people.
How important are humility and vulnerability to living a good life? Are these qualities more important / less important than the belief that disease is caused by sin?
How is this event - and others like it - celebrated in the life of the Church?
Judge
What do you make of this story, of Jesus’ power to heal, and the leper’s behaviour? Is healing really that simple?
Which aspect of this story affirms you in your faith? Which aspect challenges you in your faith?
What would the world be like if every person turned to Christ for salvation? Would there still be a place for wellness programs and mental health support services?
Act
What change do you want to make so that people experience healing of all that ails them?
What action can you carry out this week that will contribute to the change you would like to see?
Who can you involve in your action, when, how often and how?
Image source: Rijks Museum, Rembrandt van Rijken: Christ Healing a Leper, Picryl, Public domain.