Loving God, you reveal both your mercy and your healing power through your Son, Jesus, reaching out to touch those who need it the most.  We ask that you would touch us in our need today, restoring us to wholeness, and empowering us for service; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord.  Amen.

    If you could have four words to describe Jesus, what would they be?  Take a moment to think about it.  What four words would you choose to describe Jesus? [My first thoughts: compassion, saviour, love, servant] (responses?)

    Pastor David Lose (WorkingPreacher.org) suggests that Mark reveals his four words to describe Jesus in today’s gospel.  So, see if these words are the same or different from yours.  He suggests: compassion, touch, willing and lonely.  It seems to me that some of these words are easier to find in today’s gospel than others.  However, it also seems worth it to take a closer look and see how perhaps these words do describe Jesus.

    First of all, compassion: When the man with leprosy came and knelt down before Jesus, there are many possibilities for how Jesus could have responded.  He could have pulled back and told the man to get away from him, for he was unclean.  He could have given the man a lecture on the Old Testament law, saying to him, “Don’t you know that you’re not supposed to approach anybody when you have leprosy?” (Lev. 13:45-46) Or, Jesus could have responded as he did: with compassion, or “moved with pity” (Mk. 1:41).

    Compassion is a word that is associated quite easily with Jesus, for in one gospel story after another, Jesus has compassion on those who come to him and are desperate for healing.  While there are times when Jesus responds in anger, this response is always reserved for those who refuse to see what God is doing.  The rest of the time, whenever somebody comes to Jesus honestly seeking God and seeking healing, Jesus’ response is always and only one of compassion.  It is an attitude that Jesus continues to have toward us, especially when we come to him in honesty and in faith and in need of his healing presence.

    The second word that is suggested by today’s gospel is possibly not one of the first four that you thought of.  This word is “touch.”  Once again, there were many options open to Jesus for how to respond to this man with leprosy.  In fact, Jesus could have just “said the word” or lifted his hands in blessing, and he could have been healed that way.  After all, Jesus heals others simply by saying the word (cf. Mt. 8:5-13).  However, instead, Jesus breaks the rules related to leprosy and dares to touch the man.

    Can you even imagine having spent months or even years as an “untouchable” when you would have been touched by no one, and then having Jesus reach out and touch you in order to bring you healing?  It strikes me as a truly amazing experience.  These days it’s unfortunate that so many in our world have experienced bad touch rather than good touch.  We have to be so careful when it comes to inappropriate touch, and yet, to be touched in a good and loving way is a basic human need.  There are times when a hug can do wonders, and there are very good reasons for including the laying on of hands with prayer for healing.  There is, indeed, such a thing as healing touch.

    Whereas today Jesus might not be physically here to reach out and touch us and heal us, sometimes it can be helpful simply to imagine his touch as we come to God seeking healing.  At the same time, the laying on of hands and anointing with oil and prayers for healing continue to be part of our Christian heritage, and it is something that any person can ask for and take advantage of when we are in particular need of healing.  All you have to do is ask! (Or come to a healing service, like the one on March 28th that will be held here)

    The third word that comes out of today’s gospel and describes Jesus is “willing.”  This is probably not one of the first words that you thought of to describe Jesus.  However, as soon becomes evident, Jesus is more than willing both to heal and to bless.  The man who comes to Jesus in today’s gospel begins his plea with, “If you choose,” i.e. if you are willing, “you can make me clean” (Mk. 1:40).  It is a statement that implies that this man knows what Jesus is capable of doing.  The only question is, will Jesus be willing to do it?

    Jesus’ response, of course, is “I do choose” – I am willing – “Be made clean!” (Mk. 1:41).  Jesus is willing to heal.  Jesus is willing to bless.  Jesus is willing to come to earth, experience what it means to be human, and give of himself for our sake.  Jesus is willing to do whatever it takes, even if that means being crucified.  Jesus is willing to give himself for our salvation.  Jesus is willing to place himself under God’s will, praying, “not what I want, but what you want” (Mk. 14:36).  Jesus is more than willing to welcome us with open arms.  In fact, Jesus is even willing to be lonely for our sake.

    This is the fourth word - lonely - and also probably not one of our first choices.  However, consider what actually happens in the span of a few verses in today’s gospel.  When the gospel begins, Jesus is still travelling from town to town, proclaiming the kingdom of God and healing people as he goes.  At the same time, the man with leprosy is isolated from his community and unable to enter a town or a village.

    However, by the time today’s gospel ends, the situation is reversed.  The leper is restored to his community and will be able to return to his family and friends.  Jesus, on the other hand, is no longer free to enter a town or village, for huge crowds follow him wherever he goes.  He will now be watched by the authorities, who always see crowds as a threat, and now has to stay out in the wilderness and out in the country.  An exchange has taken place, where the leper now has freedom to travel around, and Jesus does not.

    It reminds me of the story by Walt Wangerin called “Ragman,” where the ragman takes upon himself everybody’s wounds and illnesses and hurts and gives them healing instead.  It is also similar to the “great exchange” in which all of our sins are placed upon Jesus and we are given his perfect life and his relationship with God instead.  Jesus is, indeed, willing to trade places with us, even if it means that he can no longer have any semblance of a normal life.

    Compassion.  Touch.  Willing.  Lonely.  What a picture we get of Jesus in these few short verses!  This is, indeed, our Saviour, the one who continues to reach out to those who need it the most.  God reaches out first to touch us through Jesus, taking away our uncleanness and restoring us to wholeness.  Then, when we are willing, God reaches out through us, touching with compassion those who are most lonely in this world.  Amen, and may God continue to do so!  Amen.

Epiphany 6(B)                                    Mark 1:40-45
February 12, 2012
St. Luke’s Zion Lutheran Church
Pastor Lynne Hutchison

© 2012 Lynne Hutchison  All Rights Reserved