Matthew 8:2-3 (The Passion
Translation)
“Suddenly, a leper walked up
to Jesus and threw himself down before him in worship and said, ‘Lord, you have
the power to heal me…if you really want to.’
Jesus reached out his hand and
touched the leper and said, ‘Of course I want to heal you – be healed!’ And
instantly, all signs of leprosy disappeared!”
The Passion Translation’s
commentary says this about verse 3: “The word leprosy was used for various skin
disorders. For Jesus to touch a leper was to render him ceremonially unclean,
but Jesus wasn’t defiled by touching the leper – the leper was healed!”
* * *
We’re living in strange circumstances
for our society with ‘tech savvy’ meetings and abnormal dictates of ‘social
distancing’. Regrettably, we’re just showing our true selfish natures which
keep us from caring for others like Jesus teaches us.
Have you felt drawn to go walking
down your street or to a local park? You might encounter fearful individuals in
need of cheering up or reassurance of God’s love and power in this unsettled
time. You could even assemble as two or three and ‘touch’ others with the love
of Jesus right there - without a building or stage just as Jesus did. He
demonstrated that with the leper in the above verses. The outcome for Him was
being ceremonially unclean and sequestered in a type of quarantine until it was
determined He was not contagious. Yet, Jesus loved the leper more than any concern
for His own safety or observance of the regulated ‘social distancing’.
I’ve had the sense that this
is a time of opportunity – that people are experiencing crushed lives and are overwhelmed
with uncertainty. Many are receptive to God now more than ever. Shouldn’t we be
there to answer questions for them? Maybe we could just be an example of faith
and solidity to influence their beliefs. Do you have enough faith to share it with
others?
Think about your response
before giving it. Consider how you can reach out effectively without causing
someone needing that faith to be offended.
Photo by Branimir Balogović on Unsplash.com
An example of this is a
story I heard about an interaction during this time of ‘social distancing’. Joe
introduced himself to Pete as they waited in a grocery store line. Joe extended
his hand to shake Pete’s, but Pete refused to engage. After a short discussion,
Joe recognized that Pete was very fearful and needed reassurance that all was
still good and would be again. So Joe simply asked if he could give Pete a hug.
Without any reluctance, Pete eagerly responded, “Yes!” We need to be there for
the rest of the ‘Petes’ that need a hug in this time of desperation and fear.
Maybe you can’t go out for other
health reasons but, you can call or text or email people you know to encourage
them with loving words or Bible verses that have ministered to you. That’s what
I’m doing…I want to encourage you to find your niche and shine in it. Be the
light and salt that is needed in our world right now; we have enough negativity
and ‘doomsday’. Listen to those around you and respond with a word of
inspiration or hope in the power of God.
I’m looking forward to
hearing your story…
