I’m reminded again this morning of my own prejudice and limited view of God’s kingdom. I like to be found people who are most like me. I like my comforts and cushy life. But Jesus certainly left His comfort zone multiple times over. Touching the person who was untouchable, interacting with those outside of the usual was His norm. When I was in the school setting, it was easier to interact with anyone and everyone. But I feel that I’ve isolated myself! May God break down my barriers.
“As a leper, this man was a social outcast. Religious law required him to isolate himself from others to prevent the spread of his disease to them. He was required to cry out, “Unclean! Unclean!” if anyone unknowingly approached him. He lived cut off from normal human relationships, isolated and alone except for others like himself.”
“This story reflects how word about Jesus spread. People who were healed told others about Jesus and what he had done for them. The result was “Jesus could no longer go into a town openly, but stayed out in the country” (Mark 1:45). Still, even there, he could not escape the crowds. They came to him in the countryside.
The story also has a theological component. It answers the question “Who gets to be included in the kingdom?” - Excerpt, Following Jesus: Discipleship in the Gospel of Mark by Steve Langford
No comments:
Post a Comment