Jesus Heals Man with Leprosy & Many | Matthew 8:1-4; 14-17

When Jesus had come down from the mountain, great crowds followed him, and there was a man with a skin disease who came to him and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.” He stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, “I am willing. Be made clean!” Immediately his skin disease was cleansed. Then Jesus said to him, “See that you say nothing to anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.

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I’m reminded of a young person who came to me years ago, torn apart by guilt because they had supported their girlfriend in getting an abortion. They were 15 and they were afraid that God judged them and that the people of the church would treat them like a leper if they found out. Oh, how often are we carrying guilt for things about which we do not need to feel guilty! This young person and I met, and talked, and prayed on and off about God’s unconditional love through Christ poured out for us through the cross and about forgiving ourselves as part of letting go of guilt. I don’t believe that anything was magically “fixed,” but slowly I watched over the months as this person’s guilt and pain receded, even as they continued their steady involvement with a church that was clear about Jesus’ unconditional love for them. 

When Jesus comes to town (or down off the mountainside), mighty things start to happen as the news of God’s kingdom that has come near is proclaimed. Jesus heals people (sometimes even physically), and this also brings about restored dignity and opportunity to serve for the good of the community and world. While we may be holding guilt and pain and suffering (in body, heart, mind, or spirit), Christ holds only love, grace, mercy, and a desire for healing and restoration for us and for this world.

A prayer: Almighty and gracious God, please free us of our unwarranted guilt and help us once again during this Lenten season to know your healing power, so that our lives being restored may in turn be a blessing of restoration for the world and those around us. Through Christ we pray, amen. 

Action: Is there something about which you’ve been holding unnecessary guilt? When you wake each morning this week, imagine handing whatever this is to God, and receiving healing, hope, and restoration back from Jesus’s heart.

Pastor Tobias Anderson

Redeemer Lutheran Church, New Paltz, NY

2010 Faculty