By Scott Bush, D.Min.
Executive Director, Ministry Training Institute, Samford University
MEETING NEEDS
Luke 5:12–16, 27–32
Isolation during illness can cause loneliness, anxiety and depression, but our worst experiences rarely compare to the plight of lepers described in the Bible. A person infected with leprosy, which could refer to a number of inflammatory skin diseases, was required to live apart from friends and family and was banned from participation in community activities, including worship (Lev. 13).
Beyond the physical stigma, leprosy was also a reminder of the effects of sin. Ugly blemishes and open lesions recalled the disorder of the broken world, far from the beauty and blessing before the fall.
Disfigured and ostracized, it’s not hard to see how a leper might feel cursed by God.
Be willing to help people when you can. (12–16)
While ministering in the towns and villages of Galilee, Jesus encountered just such a man. Perhaps the leper was aware of the miracles Jesus had already performed (4:40), or maybe he had heard about Jesus’ synagogue sermon featuring the healing of Naaman, a Syrian with leprosy (4:27). Whatever his reasons, he came to Jesus, desperate to be healed. The leper’s words — “if you are willing” — may reflect his sense of unworthiness. Having been rejected by so many, he must’ve wondered if Jesus would even care to help. What happened next surely shocked the man and anyone else watching.
Jesus touched him! Jesus extended His hand to one whom others regarded as untouchable. As followers of Jesus, we’re called to do the same. We must extend genuine, fearless compassion to people who are stigmatized in our society — those thought to be unclean, unsafe, unlovely, undesirable or even unforgivable.
As you help, invite people to follow Jesus. (27–28)
The leper was not the only outcast in Galilee. Jesus encountered a tax collector there named Levi, also called Matthew (Matt. 9:9). Tax collectors were social pariahs, seen by their Jewish countrymen as agents of a corrupt government and traitors to their own people.
Some became rich by exploiting taxpayers through intimidation, backed by the powerful Roman government (Luke 19:1–10). But the life Levi chose would be turned upside down with only a word. Jesus saw him in the tax office and called to him, “Follow Me.”
In the same way that the spoken word of God brought the world into existence, Jesus’ words transformed an empty, misdirected life as Levi left everything behind to follow Him. As we encounter hurting people, we can be sure that what they need most is faith, and faith comes by hearing the message of Jesus (Rom. 10:17).
Don’t limit your help and invitation to the “right” people. (29–32)
Rejected by “polite society,” Levi spent his time with other tax collectors and shady types. When he decided to host a party for Jesus, that’s exactly who attended. Sharing a table with such notorious sinners was distasteful to the Pharisees. For them, table fellowship was reserved for the “right” people — those they thought would share in the heavenly feast one day. But Jesus cleverly explains that He did not come to rub elbows with the righteous but to embrace those in need of forgiveness, to bring them to repentance and faith and to give to them His own righteousness (2 Cor. 5:21). We have a place at His table not because we deserve it but because He loves us, and He calls us to love and serve others no matter who they are or what they’ve done.
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