Story: Jesus and the Leper

(Image of Jesus healing a leper sourced from Wikimedia)

Many of you don't know me; In fact, many of you have never even looked my direction. For years and years, I have waited with bated breath on the side of the cobblestone road that you people walk every day to get to work. You go and you visit with your families for meals, you go and laugh with loved ones at local wineries, and you go about your everyday chores and never bother to look in my direction. While you go go go, I sat in the same spot longing for someone to talk to me. I sat there with skin falling off my very bones, deformities altered my face, and contagiousness left me completely and utterly alone. Day after day, I sat and I could feel my muscles wither away leaving me paralyzed. My skin was discolored and my heart was empty. There were tears, there was sadness, and depression often crippled my bones. I was among those who were infected by disease and labeled as “outcast.” I did not know love, I did not know kindness, and I did not know what compassion looked like, until I saw the face of Jesus.

Jesus is a controversial name and man in this town but He is one of the best people I know. He extends a helping hand to those who need it, He hears those who go unheard, and He reaches the hearts of those who are deemed unlovable. I was touched by this man and I was cleaned by this man. This man made me whole and I am who I am today. Jesus is the reason I can stand before you today and He is the very reason all who are listening will now look upon my face. I once was a leper. I was one of the many people that you dared not to come in contact with. You passed by every single day. I have finally been seen. I have finally felt what it was like to have been known and to be valued. My skin was once discolored and now is normal, my face was once was deformed and now is in place, my heart once was broken and now is whole. I once was infected and now I am clean.

This Jesus saved my life and He can save yours. I am who I am today because a Man, who is of the utmost authority, got down on bended knee and whispered "Be thou clean." While He told me not to go out into the streets and tell of what has been done, I cannot help but shout it from the rooftops. He has healed me and my heart is overflowing. For all my days I will sing His praises. The messiah has come and he has touched my heart and cleaned my wounds. Go forth quickly and see this man named Jesus for He is the real reason we are breathing, moving, and living this blessed life.

I leave you with the same words Jesus left me, "Be thou clean."

Author's Note:

I have read the Gospel of Mark numerous times throughout my life. I’ve heard it in Sunday school, mission trips, and in my own personal quiet times. That being said, the story of Jesus healing the Leper was not new to me. In fact, I practically knew it by heart. The prompt I chose for week 3 was to write a motivational speech. While doing my reading this particular story seemed to jump off the pages and exclaim “Write Me.” I couldn’t say no. It would've been easy to write a speech motivating those in Biblical times from Jesus's point of view, but I wanted to change it up. I wrote my speech in the leper’s point of view who couldn't help but tell other people of how he had been healed. In fact, Jesus told the leper NOT to tell people, but the Leper couldn't contain his joy or words, in the same way I couldn’t help but write this story. That is one of the most interesting parts to the story I think, the fact that Jesus said don't go tell people. I believe Jesus wanted the healed man to show his gratitude through his actions and not necessarily his words. However, most people including myself will often do the opposite of what we are told and that is exactly what the healed man did.  I think this story adds depth to my portfolio, because it shows my heart’s cry. I believe my own beliefs and morals shine through this story. I don’t know this healed man personally, but I do know my heart beats for the Lord in the same way I imagine this man’s does too. I think this story reveals my own values that I carry with me, thus adding substance to my portfolio.

Bibliography:

King James translation of the Gospel of Mark, link to the online reading.