Mercy – Jesus’ Will

Here we are in Luke Chapter five (v12-16). This week we consider a well known healing in Jesus’ early Galilean ministry- that of the man covered with leprosy. What we too easily forget is the great courage it would’ve taken this precious soul ‘covered in leprosy’ v12 to enter the town, approach Jesus & the other villagers. When our text says here that he suffered from leprosy, for Luke the first century physician, this phrase referred to a wide range of diseases. Not just what we moderns know as Hansen’s disease. So, our text refers to an uncured, severe, infectious, potentially disabling, skin condition. In the case of our poor leper, this condition would have triggered the quarantine requirements of the law of Moses.  In courage, desperation, and holding onto faith, our poor leper broke the law’s quarantine requirements to approach Jesus. In this way he added the threat of penalty to the stigma that he already knew. What we will meditate on this Sunday is Christ’s threefold response.

1. What he didn’t do. Jesus didn’t participate in the shaming of the poor soul.
2. What he willed. Jesus chose something for our leper. Restoration. Wholeness. Cleansing.
3. What he did. Jesus healed the man, instantly, with a touch.   
   

Pain and suffering will find us so long as we are still awaiting our resurrection and the renewal of all things. Some pain may even feel unspeakably severe. In our pain, it can, at times, be tempting to fall into bitterness. We can struggle to believe in the goodness of Christ’s will. The healing of the precious leper in Luke 5 reveals the mercy that is at the heart of Christ’s will, while we await the day of its complete fulfilment. As he chose mercy for this poor man, he choses mercy for us, even if we still long for its fulfilment at the renewal of all things.  

Reflection Questions 

1. Have you been in quarantine or forced isolation during the COVID Pandemic? What feelings did this experience arouse? 

2. Read Leviticus 13.45-46. Now read Luke 5.12-16. In what ways might the experience of the man suffering from a severe, infectious, skin disease, be similar to our experiences of isolation or quarantine? In what way might his experience be different to ours? 

3. What qualities did the poor leper need to demonstrate in order to break out of quarantine and approach Jesus?

4. Jesus didn’t have to touch him, in order to heal him. For example,  in Luke 7, the Centurion’s servant is healed without Jesus even entering his house. Why is it significant that Jesus touched our leper in Luke 5.12-16?

5. How can we be confident that Jesus wills wholeness for his people still, even if we can’t control the timing of healing?

6. What key virtue might Christians need to demonstrate today, if we are to share in this radical healing ministry of Jesus?