Staying in the Lines for Other’s Sake

Read Mt 8.2-4, Mk 1.40-45, Lk 5.12-16

And He stretched out His hand and touched him, saying, “I am willing; be cleansed.” And immediately the leprosy left him. And He ordered him to tell no one, “But go and show yourself to the priest and make an offering for your cleansing, just as Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.”
(Luke 5:13-14)

When Jesus heals the Leper He sends him to the priests. This is in keeping with the Mosaic Law (Lev 14.2-32). The priests were not so much physicians as they were to authenticate its existence or it’s healing. As the priest made his determination there were appropriate actions to be taken to insure this very contagious disease did not spread to the rest of the community and that there was the proper celebration for a real healing. Jesus commanded the man to subject himself to this part of the Law.

When Jesus healed the man’s leprosy, I’m sure He did not doubt the man was completely cured. So there was no need for this healing to be authenticated by a priest, unless Jesus was trying to send a message. I think Jesus was more concerned about communicating a greater truth rather than having a priest confirm His healing. Jesus stays within the Letter of the Law in order to help them see His identity. He uses these circumstances more as a “testimony” to them. It was meant to authenticate who Jesus was rather than a physical healing.

There are times when, for the sake of our testimony, we should “stay in the lines.” We may sacrifice our personal rights and freedoms by following rules we know are not required by the Father in order to gain a hearing. The Apostle Paul expresses the same principle when he talks about eating meat scarified to idols (1 Cor 10.23-31). Rules like not drinking, smoking, wearing certain clothing, etc… are all cultural regulations rather than spiritual principles. And although we have the freedom to disregard such rules, we may stay within the “lines” in order to express a testimony to those that follow them. As a disciplemaker, are you willing to forfeit your rights to spiritual freedom in order rescue others in spiritual bondage? Jesus did. FJ56