Breaking down walls

Scripture

Luke 5: 12-13, 17

In one of the villages, Jesus met a man with an advanced case of leprosy. When the man saw Jesus, he bowed with his face to the ground, begging to be healed. “Lord,” he said, “if you are willing, you can heal me and make me clean.” 13 Jesus reached out and touched him. “I am willing,” he said. “Be healed!” And instantly the leprosy disappeared.

One day while Jesus was teaching, some Pharisees and teachers of religious law were sitting nearby. (It seemed that these men showed up from every village in all Galilee and Judea, as well as from Jerusalem.) And the Lord’s healing power was strongly with Jesus.

Observation

1. The leper recognized Jesus power to heal.

2. He questioned his willingness.  Why?

Leprosy was a social stigma, they were considered unclean. People  were not allowed to touch or interact with them.  Lepers were the ultimate social outcasts.  

So maybe the man considered himself to be unworthy of Jesus, maybe he questioned if Jesus would lower himself to his level.

3. Jesus was willing.

Jesus continually broke down social barriers, with lepers, women, tax collectors, and notable sinners.

4. Jesus healed the leper.

This radically changed his life not only did it bring physical relief and healing but this man was now socially acceptable.  He could touch and be touched.  He could love, be invite to a party.  He could live.

5. Verse 27 has the strange phrase "And the Lord’s healing power was strongly with Jesus." 

What does that mean?  Jesus was operating in the 1 Corinthians 12 gift of healing.  It was through the anointing of the Holy Spirit that Jesus was able to heal.  The same anointing and gift is available to us today.  We cannot say that Jesus healed the sick because he was deity but I cannot.  No, Jesus is our example of ministering to people under the anointing.

Application

1. Be willing to demolish social barriers.

Break down racial, social, sexist, and religious walls.

2. Believe in the power of God to heal.

He can heal broken bodies, hearts, minds, and spirits.

3. Take faith risks.

Pray for the sick, believe for their healing, invite someone to lunch you normally would not invite.  Reach out to people you normally would not reach out to.

Prayer

Break down the walls in my heart.  I can be racists, sexists, and judge people.  I can assume what a people group is like when I don't even know them.  May I love everyone God loves.