Jan 6: Weekly Reading- Jesus Heals the Leper; The Cleansed & Insight Post by Kim Feld
Weekly Reading: Matthew 8:2-4, Mark 1:40-45, Luke 5:12-16
Monday Reflection
Jesus Breaks Barriers with Compassion: In healing the leper, Jesus crosses societal and religious boundaries. Lepers were considered outcasts and untouchable, yet Jesus not only speaks to the man, but also touches him, demonstrating that His compassion knows no limits. Jesus teaches us that no one is too broken or unclean to receive His love and healing.
Monday Verse
Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude. 1 Peter 3:8 (NLT)
Monday Questions
Are there people in my life whom I’ve avoided or overlooked due to societal or personal barriers? How can I, like Jesus, break these barriers and show compassion?
Monday Insight Post
by Kim Feld
Welcome to our 2025 Bible Reading Plan! This year, we will focus on specific encounters that Jesus had with people during His time on earth and what we can take away from those interactions today. The purpose of this plan is to deepen our understanding of Jesus’ teachings and to apply them to our lives. This week, we kick it off by looking at Jesus healing a leper. This story was thought to be important enough to be included in three of Jesus’s four biographies.
In Jesus’ time, leprosy was a disease that resulted in social and physical isolation. The word that leprosy is translated from could indicate true leprosy (Hansen’s disease) or any skin condition. There would have been a great deal of stigma surrounding the disease as the person was thought to be “unclean.” The fact that Jesus not only healed the man but went so far as to touch him is profound. According to Jewish law, touching something or someone considered unclean would make you unclean. Jesus didn’t always use touch in His healing. Still, I think in this instance, He knew His touch would have a significant impact beyond the man’s physical healing.
One commentary that I read about these verses brought up the point that the man didn’t seem to question Jesus’ ability to heal but instead questioned if He would want to. So, it is not a question of power but of mercy. That struck a chord with me, and I wondered how often I am convinced of Jesus’ power but doubt if He will be merciful to me. Do I see Jesus looking at my areas that need healing with compassion or judgment? To be honest, it’s a mixed bag. Like the leper, I don’t doubt His power, but sometimes, out of my own sense of unworthiness, I doubt His mercy.
In each week of this year’s plan, there will be some things for us to think about on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, along with a verse that further explores the theme. Let’s take a look at Monday’s verse and how it relates to Jesus’ encounter with the leper:
8 Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted and keep a humble attitude. (1 Peter 3:8, NLT)
Just as in Jesus’ time, there are often barriers between people – socioeconomic factors, race, and political affiliation are just a few. If I look at Jesus’ interaction with the leprous man, and I read Peter’s words, which underscore five virtues that Jesus exhibited: harmony, sympathy (I would add empathy), love, compassion, and humility (Barker & Kohlenberger, 2004), I get an indication of how I am to interact with others. I also see Jesus’ heart toward me.
Jesus, our Savior, has the power and the heart to give us all that we need. As we move into a new year, let’s remind each other of these truths and share them with a hurting world around us. Let’s take comfort in the fact that we serve a God who not only has the power to heal and restore but also the heart of compassion and love that drives Him to do so.
Kim Feld
Executive Director of Education and Outreach
Reference: Barker, K. L., & Kohlenberger, J. R. (2004). The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: New Testament. Zondervan Academic.