Luke 5:12-16
Once, when he was in one of the cities, there was a man covered with 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. And he ordered him to tell no one. “Go”, he said, “and show yourself to the priest, and, as Moses commanded, make an offering for your cleansing, for a testimony to them.” But now more than ever the word about Jesus spread abroad; many crowds would gather to hear him and to be cured of their diseases. But he would withdraw to deserted places and pray.
There is a tenderness to this scene that is easy to miss. It starts with the leper’s bowed head. Whether bowed in humility, in suffering, in embarrassment, or in worship we don’t know. But the poignancy in his request – “if you choose” – is palpable. It demonstrates his absolute confidence in Jesus – there is no hesitation, no question of whether Jesus can, only if he will – as well as his awareness of his absolute dependence. He doesn’t expect or demand, he asks, begs actually.
Similarly, imagine the quiet thrill the leper must have felt when Jesus answers simply and without hesitation by stretching out his hand to touch and heal him. Touch. Such an intimate gesture, something a leper rarely if ever experienced. Feeling Jesus’ touch was the sign that his prayer had been answered. And then Jesus accompanies that action with words, confirming his intention by mirroring the man’s plea: “I do choose.”
How much, I wonder, does this scene capture the primary dynamic of the Christian life? Our recognition of our need and confidence that God will meet it – “if you choose” – and God’s corresponding response of comfort, mercy, and affirmation – “I do choose.”
Of course it doesn’t end there. With healing comes responsibility – “go and show yourself” – there is a place in this act for the leper, as he completes, or perhaps actualizes, the healing by fulfilling the law regarding his condition. “And make an offering as testimony.” Gratitude and testimony are the fit responses to blessing. But note that the testimony is offered through action, not simply words. In fact, Jesus bids him not to tell anyone, but rather to go and make an offering and allow that act to testify to his blessing.
And still it’s not done. Note that Jesus’ act of mercy comes at a cost. The more he heals, the more in demand he is, so that he can scare find time to pray unless he withdrawals to deserted places.
So much in this small seen – abject humility and confidence, unbounded grace, invitational responsibility, and willing sacrifice. It is, in a sense, the gospel in miniature.
Prayer: Dear God, as we read the story of your Son, draw us into that story that we may hear and believe that you still choose to meet our need and then send us to testify so that all may know of your eagerness to bless. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Post image: “Jesus Heals a Leper,” Rembrandt, pen and ink, c. 1655-60.
I think that the “if you choose” may be even more poignant than described here. I think it’s a forshadowing of Jesus’ own prayer – “not my will but your will be done”. And I think it shows a humble willingness to accept that his request may be denied. I also think it shows how tenuous his hope is; no doubt he’s suffered for a very long time. And suffering without relief makes hope an enemy you want to send away. “Hope denied makes a heart sick.” It takes a real act of courage to grasp on to hope again when for so long it’s done nothing but make you sick.
Which I think makes Jesus’ response – “I do choose” – even more touching to me.
Fabulous insights, Rebecca. Thanks for sharing them.
There is a palpable vulnerability – among Jesus and the various characters he interacts with – that runs throughout Luke’s gospel. Thanks, again, for reminding me of that.