I’m captivated by this novel I’m
reading right now, titled Theophilus. The story is about the person to whom the
Luke addressed his Gospel (see verse one of the Gospel) and Theophilus’ journey
through the land of Israel meeting people who were eye-witnesses of Jesus and
his Resurrection. In Nazareth he meets one old former-leper who represents the
man we hear so little about in today’s Gospel. It’s beautiful to consider how
much of a story is contained in these few verses that we almost pass over. This
was a real person, who had a full life, a story of layers of pain and
suffering, and we barely know anything about him nowadays. But back then people
could walk up to him and ask him, and he would tell them what Jesus did that day
(and maybe other days since they perhaps knew each other more closely either
before his leprosy or after the healing). Books like this are worth reading because
they make us remember how relatable the Gospels are, and what it really means
that God became flesh and restored us right in the midst of our mess, healed us
right where we were hurting.
Leprosy stinks - literally and
figuratively. Besides smelling rotting flesh, it’s like having COVID for the
rest of your life. – painful, yes, but above all the isolation! Separation from
everyone, before internet, telephones, and even before books. This is a heavy
cross. We were made to be with each other. It is hard to love when you can
never get within a stone’s throw of people.
So this leper breaks the rules.
Why? He knew Jesus’ heart.
LENT - I THIRST
One last thing: In fact, his leprosy could
have been the reason he was drawn to Jesus. We don’t know if they knew each
other.
Perhaps God allows you to have wounds and
suffer so that you can draw near to Jesus too, and find more than just healing,
but love, and a fountain of life that quenches your deepest thirst.
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