Get amongst it
by Sonia Hulme
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The Lord said to Moses, ‘These are the regulations for the diseased person… when he is brought to the priest. The priest is to go outside the camp and examine him’ (Leviticus 14:1–3a).
Today’s reading contains a list of instructions for those struggling with infectious skin diseases, the great fear being a diagnosis of leprosy, resulting in complete social exclusion. After doing all that was required of them, people struggling in this way could only get a ‘clean bill of health’ by being examined by a priest. God used his spiritual leaders to minister to those struggling with physical illnesses that had massive social ramifications. They were instruments in his hands for ministry. Jesus (identified in the Book of Hebrews as the great High Priest) continued this ministry by dealing compassionately with people living with these isolating illnesses. He went beyond the spirit of his day by reaching out his hand and touching the leper in Luke 5, unheard of in a time when it was believed leprosy may spread by touch.
As we identify with him, we too are named ‘a chosen people, a royal priesthood’ (1 Peter 2:9). What might our priestly duties entail? Just as the Old Testament priests left their inner comforts and journeyed outside their comfortable, sickness-free camp, part of our calling is the invitation to minister to the people around us.
Where does our motivation come from? It comes from knowing that before we knew God, we too were ‘outside the camp’, separated from him in the sickness of sin. The same hand of mercy that touched us wants to use us to touch others and bring them healing in his name.
Do any ‘lepers’ spring to your mind today? Can you name one person you know who is despised by your social or church group? Someone who might feel unclean when they look at their past life and where they have been or feel shame when they are looked on by others? Or someone who might fear the reaction of others if they entered a church or gathering of Christians? Perhaps you are being called to go out of the camp, your comfortable church bubble, roll up your sleeves and get amongst it, working alongside the great High Priest who was not afraid to reach out and touch you.
Thank you so much, Jesus, for being willing to enter our world and pronounce us clean through your death and resurrection. May the healing and mercy you poured out on us be poured out to others through us. Amen.
Sonia lives in the north-eastern suburbs of Adelaide with her husband and five children. She works part-time in a support role at Good Shepherd Lutheran School and as a spiritual director, helping people discern God at work in their lives.
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