This article was originally published as an insert in The Global Voice newsletter in October 2008. The article can be read in context here.
Once, when he was in one of the cities, there was a man covered in leprosy. When he saw Jesus, he bowed with his face to the ground and begged him, Lord, if you choose, you can make me clean. Then Jesus stretched out his hand, touched him, and said, I do choose. Be made clean. Immediately the leprosy left him. Luke 5:12-13
Background on Proper Interpretation on Cities:
Like today, the city was the center of economic and legislative activity for the surrounding region. The city gave opportunity for the non-farmer to develop a livelihood independent of direct agrarian activity. They were often over-populated and made up of a diverse group of educated, non-educated, rich, poor, h healthy and disabled individuals who migrated from the surrounding regions for employment and a ‘better life.’ Those who were ill would have been cut off from the communal activity of the city.
On Leprosy and Biblical Illness:
In the Bible, leprosy is a term to denote many types of skin diseases. For the modern reader, it should be understood that such a disease not only made the person sick, but it cut them off from all social ties and possible networking that gave them a sense of interpersonal/relational health. In turn, the suffering individual experienced isolation, loneliness, and marginalization.
The OT & Leprosy:
In the Torah (see Leviticus 13), leprous people were to be quarantined because they were ‘unclean’ and their condition could contaminate the community. It was the job of the priesthood, at the Tabernacle, to change the social status of such individuals. The priests could declare lepers clean and by doing so they could participate in social functions as a healthy individual.
Interpreting the Passage
At the site of Jesus, the leprous man assumed the desperate, helpless posture of a beggar and made a profound claim, “Lord, if you choose, you can make me clean!” (vs. 12). This lowly position (both literally and socially) gives insight to the reader on the perspective of the marginalized individual. First, institutional, legislative or religious approval is not pre-requisite for their restorative source. Second, the advanced aspect of their illness (as indicated by ‘covered with leprosy’) can cause everyone else to surrender to their alienated state and they have to advocate for their own healing.
Jesus was not a Levite, priest or government-sanctioned medical professional. Rather he was a traveling preacher in his early 30s, uneducated, from the rural areas and the son of a carpenter who was disconnected from the power structures of the city. The leprous man believed Jesus had the authority to act outside of the sanctions of his society. This courageous soul had not accepted the fate of his illness; rather he sought after an unauthorized alternative in the restorative power of the very human Jesus. The text reads that Jesus responded with both touch and a word. His touch is expressed with the phrase, ‘he stretched out his hand’ (vs. 13). The same phrase used in the Exodus to speak of God’s power through the man Moses, unauthorized by Egypt, to deliver his people from their marginalized status as slaves in the city.
The word he’s peaks is a direct response to the leprous man’s statement. “I do choose, be made clean.” Jesus, without priestly authority, away from the Temple, makes the declaration that will restore this man to healthy social interaction within his community. The text reads that the ‘leprosy left him immediately.’ Touch and word; action and education.
Suffering from a disease does more to an individual than solely cause them pain. It cuts them off from the healthy social relationships that give them purpose and a sense of belonging. Healing in the Bible is always a socially restorative activity.
Living it Out
When I think of all who are sick, I know God can heal them. However, I’m also aware of my part in the process. As the people of God, human beings can with a touch and a word, action and education, practice the restorative activity of Jesus to resurrect life into these individuals. We can demonstrate the love and care which embraces their most difficult situation and with compassion and patience hold their hand. We can educate on God’s desire for them to continue embracing their every day with hope — to choose life. We can advocate their desire to not yet be cut off from the life-giving activity of social interaction and make the world acknowledge their plight and accommodate their presence.
Though unauthorized by the world we are supported by a loving God who gives us the power to love as well. Medicine does not restore people! It can stop the onslaught of disease and even prevent it from progressing in the body, but it can never perform the healing activity of a healing being who values those marginalized by society and left to the fate of their disease. Human touch and a word of acceptance have the power to heal illness.
Though science and medicine have become the priesthood of the 21st century, able to declare the beginning and ending of life, those in need of healing must not lose hope! Be courageous and believe that Jesus has the authority to restore, the power to heal, and the desire to do it for you!
“I do choose, be made clean!”
Comments