HEALING THROUGH CLEANSING (LUKE 5:12-26)

Jesus heals the sick. REFLECTION Healing through cleansing is the theme for our reflection. To cleanse means to make something pure or free it from dirt or impurities. A leprous person is also referred to as a leper. A leper or leprous person according to the Jewish culture of the time was considered impure and…

Jean-Paul Agidi

Jan 17, 2022

2–3 minutes

Jesus heals the sick.

REFLECTION

Healing through cleansing is the theme for our reflection. To cleanse means to make something pure or free it from dirt or impurities. A leprous person is also referred to as a leper. A leper or leprous person according to the Jewish culture of the time was considered impure and therefore was removed from or separated from society. “The leprous person who has the disease shall wear torn clothes and let the hair of his head hang loose, and he shall cover his upper lip and cry out, ‘Unclean, unclean.’ He shall remain unclean as long as he has the disease. He is unclean. He shall live alone. His dwelling shall be outside the camp.” (Leviticus 13:45-46) (kindly refer to Leviticus 14 to learn about the sacrifice and cleansing of a leper)

The leper who came to Jesus to heal him through cleansing, sought two important things. Firstly, he desired to be completely healed and two, he desired to be reintegrated into society. It is important to note that no one touches an unclean thing or person, moreso a leper but in healing and cleansing him, “…Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, “I will; be clean.” And immediately the leprosy left him” (Luke 5:13). In other words Jesus touched the untouchable in order to heal him through cleansing. The key lesson of today’s reflection is that no one is too impure for the Lord to touch, no matter how your sins have made you impure, so long as you seek forgiveness, spiritual and moral restoration and healing, Jesus is ever willing to touch you and cleanse you. Sin is a type leprosy that separate us from God but only if we are willing to be restored Jesus is ever willing to heal and reconcile us back to God through the cleansing power the of His blood. With the salvation of Jesus, no other sacrifice is needed for our cleansing and healing, Jesus is Himself the sacrifice and at the same time the High Priest who restores us and enables us to live a new life of grace and righteousness. Shalom.

PRAYER

Merciful God, we come to you as spiritual and moral lepers, may we be cleansed through the touch of Jesus and be restored into the everlasting life of grace and purity. Amen

Jean-Paul Agidi (Rev)