Mark 1:40-41 - REDEFINING CHURCH

Central,

"And a leper came to him beseeching him, and kneeling said to him, 'If you will, you can make me clean.' Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand and touched him, and said to him, 'I will; be clean'" - Mark 1:40-41

Jesus is moved with pity, he makes room in his heart for the other, and he touches the leper. He touches the untouchable, yet another sign of the awesome and astonishing grace of God, shattering all boundaries. But what I want to reflect on for a few moments tonight is the fact that a leper came to him. Lepers didn't go to anybody. In fact, they were forbidden from approaching anyone, and to do so was punishable.  The law was very clear and concise; if someone came upon a leper, the leper was required to turn away and shout "unclean, unclean" as a warning (Leviticus 13:45). The law insisted that the leper "live alone outside the camp" (Leviticus 13:46).

When Mark tells us about a leper coming to Jesus we learn all we need to know about Jesus. In Jesus' presence there is no shame, fear, blame or shunning. Everyone is to be included in Jesus' embrace! Talk about radical hospitality! So what does this mean for you and me - the Church? As the hands and feet and eyes of Christ are we present in such a way that people come to us. Are we approachable? Are we compassionate? Are there people who will not come to us? Who? Why? What would it look like for us to be a church that the lepers come to? 

A friend shared that his Bishop thought it was important to pray, "Lord, send us the people nobody else wants."  Do we have room in our hearts for the 'lepers' of our culture?  Do we have room in our sanctuary for those who the world pushes to the margins?  The Jesus we meet in the gospels always has a place for the untouchables. And sometimes that means you and me - in those times when you feel that you don't measure up know that Jesus loves you, stretches out his hand to touch you and speaks a word of love to you!

Paul J

P.S. On Tuesday at 6:30 some of us gather at the front of the Sanctuary for a 30 minute Prayer Worship!  And if you want to learn more how to pray I encourage you to be part of the Lord's Prayer course at 7:15 PM on Tuesdays and 11:00 AM on Wednesdays. This week we are reflecting on 'Hallowed Be Thy Name.'