Jesus was engaged in the public life of his society and he was angry at the systems of sin and oppression which harmed people. This increases the significance of this act, performed by Jesus Christ. But does that mean that we should look for suffering? Pharisees were equally concerned about avoiding lepers, as an entire tractate of the Mishnah, the Nega'im [blemishes], 7 is devoted to this issue (Chilton 2000:877). Realise that they are chosen to be Saints, and know that they are joined to Christ. Matthew 8:1-4 meaning. The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® Copyright© 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. This tractate describes the various forms of leprosy that affected people, clothing and homes.
This leprosy is my sinfulness and personal failings and even my weaknesses. Touch the ugly bits of me that I do not like to look at. Bart D. Ehrman argues that "Mark described Jesus as angry and... scribes took offense. " As Moses in Exodus was involved in 10 miracles and giving of the Law, Jesus authoritatively interprets the Law (in the Sermon on the Mount) and then authoritatively performs his interpretation of the Law (in the miracle narratives). It should be noted that the first and the second phases of the purification rituals, as prescribed in Leviticus 14:2-9, are left out. During His ministry, Jesus performed more than 40 miracles, including healing the sick, changing the natural elements of nature and even raising people from the dead. In similar way the gospel points us also to the same reality of trusting the Lord through the story of a leper, who came, begged and believed in Jesus and eventually experienced healing. Jesus' Life: Chapter 4 – Jesus' Ministry In Galilee (Part 1). Lepers had to be far from people and ring a bell yelling "impure" when people approached. It caused severe visual deformities, possible loss of ability to feel pain and loss of eyesight. This contrast highlights the social and religious implication of his illness on the one hand, but also his trust to find healing from Jesus. We need not go looking for suffering. The Story Of Jesus Healing a Man With Leprosy. Jesus Heals The Man With Leprosy. Cancer and elephantiasis were also considered as leprosy.
Jesus is regarded as the new Moses. Jesus is pictured as one whose concern for people apparently outweighs legal prescriptions. Even today, healing implies the restoration of the total wellbeing of a person (Pilch 1988). Everyday, Jesus is trying to reach out and show His love to you but sometimes we're too busy to notice. T. C. Oden and C. A. Since the sacrament was not around yet, to renew the baptismal covenants the jews would perform fire and cleansing rituals outside of the temple. The controversy doesn't stop there, because some scholars believe that the 'anger' reading came first and was later changed by Christian copyists who couldn't cope with Jesus' anger. 746-756, Thompson Gale, Detroit/New York/San Francisco/New Haven/Waterville/Maine/London. Matthew continues to present Jesus as the God-man sent from heaven, as Israel's Messiah, and as the long-awaited King, the Son of David. Jesus heals a man with leprosy reflection definition. Rysostom, in his homily on this passage, proposes that by this act, Jesus shows that he is set over the Law, and that, henceforth, to the clean nothing is unclean. This has always been because of the fear that the power may shift to Jesus Christ from several other leaders. If impurity such as leprosy, threatens to pollute the generally pure community, it should be removed from the community (Wright & Jones 1992:281).
Meaning of life is being restored for ill people. This story is about a man with leprosy. The word used for 'to heal' () proves the point. Maybe we can relate to our readings today especially the Gospel. Jesus openly expressed the need for gratefulness in this event. Is Jesus moved with pity or anger for the leper? Banner/featured image by Valber Cortez on FreeImages. What Jesus feels is compassion not just pity. According to the Law of Moses, priests had to confirm the leper's healing with rituals and sacrifices that took eight days. REFLECTION ON THE GOSPEL ABOUT THE HEALING OF A LEPER. However, the main editions of the Greek New Testament stick with 'compassion'. Importance Of The Temple. Print version ISSN 1018-6441. Repent daily and be sorry for what you have done.
Received: 09 Sept. 2013. Correspondence: Francois Viljoen. This leper did not doubt his faith that Jesus' power was absolute.