Week of November 26
Getting a Rash Over the New Moral Leprosy
Read: Matthew 8-10
“And behold, a leper came to him and knelt before him, saying, ‘Lord, if you will, you can make me clean.’”
Matthew 8:2, ESV
Introduction
“We must learn to regard people less in light of what they do or omit to do, and more in light of what they suffer” (Dietrich Bonhoeffer). These words reflect true biblical meaning and will often get a person persecuted!
For example, I recall a time in ministry when I received a phone call from a religious-party activist who told me that I was being “watched” because I had not responded rightfully to a particular moral situation in a church I had served as pastor. It did not matter to him that neither he, nor his moral posse, had the facts straight, or were even members of the church in question!
He was insistent that those who fell outside of his group’s narrow moral code (law) were to be expelled from leadership anywhere they saw fit. No offer of grace, just retribution. The sad truth was that he was not ultimately opposing me! (I’ll explain in a bit.)
Today, we will consider an encounter Jesus had with an outcast. This and other happenstances soon plunged him into deep controversy. He lived life and served all with compassion, which ultimately led to persecution, because of a deeper conflict within the lives of some people who opposed Him. Let’s learn about ministry to the suffering that may well lead to our own suffering (see Matthew 9:3, 34; Psalm 116:5).
For example, I recall a time in ministry when I received a phone call from a religious-party activist who told me that I was being “watched” because I had not responded rightfully to a particular moral situation in a church I had served as pastor. It did not matter to him that neither he, nor his moral posse, had the facts straight, or were even members of the church in question!
He was insistent that those who fell outside of his group’s narrow moral code (law) were to be expelled from leadership anywhere they saw fit. No offer of grace, just retribution. The sad truth was that he was not ultimately opposing me! (I’ll explain in a bit.)
Today, we will consider an encounter Jesus had with an outcast. This and other happenstances soon plunged him into deep controversy. He lived life and served all with compassion, which ultimately led to persecution, because of a deeper conflict within the lives of some people who opposed Him. Let’s learn about ministry to the suffering that may well lead to our own suffering (see Matthew 9:3, 34; Psalm 116:5).
The Meaning of the Text
The conclusion before the introduction
Let me provide the moral conclusion before I even introduce an interpretation of the passage. Jesus says, “I will; be clean.” These words should form the umbrella under which we invite a world, drenched by its own misery, to come out of the moral rain!
The leper in our narrative was ostracized in every sense of the word (cf. physical and ritual uncleanness). His condition was hopeless physically, emotionally, socially, economically, and spiritually. There was much misunderstanding and incorrect moral speculation about the origins and moral meaning of leprosy in Jesus’ day.
Folks just shut people off and cast them out. Bottom line: Lepers were dead to the world (cf. NAC). I am going to take a leap and claim that you may have never encountered the moral disgust that a Jew felt when confronted with a leper, largely because you have never seen one. The last (and only) ones I have ever seen were in a leper colony in Nigeria in 2017! However, let me draw a current parallel.
Those within transgender communities are, perhaps, the closest equivalents today. Please hear me out. If you are experiencing a deep visceral and spiritual reaction to the word “transgender,” then you will be experiencing something akin to what the committed Jew felt about lepers in Jesus’ day.
Lepers did not do anything to become unclean. By comparison, counselors tell us that there are some within the transgender community who are early-onset gender dysphoric, meaning they began to feel as though they were imprisoned in the wrong body as early as three years of age. So, let’s read on!
The leper in our narrative was ostracized in every sense of the word (cf. physical and ritual uncleanness). His condition was hopeless physically, emotionally, socially, economically, and spiritually. There was much misunderstanding and incorrect moral speculation about the origins and moral meaning of leprosy in Jesus’ day.
Folks just shut people off and cast them out. Bottom line: Lepers were dead to the world (cf. NAC). I am going to take a leap and claim that you may have never encountered the moral disgust that a Jew felt when confronted with a leper, largely because you have never seen one. The last (and only) ones I have ever seen were in a leper colony in Nigeria in 2017! However, let me draw a current parallel.
Those within transgender communities are, perhaps, the closest equivalents today. Please hear me out. If you are experiencing a deep visceral and spiritual reaction to the word “transgender,” then you will be experiencing something akin to what the committed Jew felt about lepers in Jesus’ day.
Lepers did not do anything to become unclean. By comparison, counselors tell us that there are some within the transgender community who are early-onset gender dysphoric, meaning they began to feel as though they were imprisoned in the wrong body as early as three years of age. So, let’s read on!
The Bible context
This leper was boldly willing to run afoul of the Mosaic Law and social convention when he approached Jesus in a crowd. This was forbidden, but he was respectful of Jesus (cf. Leviticus 13:46; “knelt before him”). Keep in mind that laws don’t save, but Jesus the Lord does (8:3). Physical healing of lepers was considered to be as difficult as resurrecting people from the dead (cf. NAC).
Despite this, the leper sought Jesus’ help. Notice, too, that the leper concedes to Jesus’ sovereignty (“if you will”). He wanted to be made well, and he knew that it required submission to Jesus’ moral authority. Jesus’ actions show that God’s love extends to the furthest outcast. The man’s cleansing was immediate and lasting (“be clean”). This event provides Christians with a moral imperative. Now, let’s examine our duty when we are faced with similar circumstances.
Despite this, the leper sought Jesus’ help. Notice, too, that the leper concedes to Jesus’ sovereignty (“if you will”). He wanted to be made well, and he knew that it required submission to Jesus’ moral authority. Jesus’ actions show that God’s love extends to the furthest outcast. The man’s cleansing was immediate and lasting (“be clean”). This event provides Christians with a moral imperative. Now, let’s examine our duty when we are faced with similar circumstances.
The Message for Our Lives
A major retailer recently dove into the proverbial deep end, so to speak, with their “tuck-friendly” women’s swimsuit line that allows transgender women to conceal their private areas. The retail giant also has a rainbow-themed children’s clothing line to support the PRIDE agenda. The company lost $10 billion in 10 days as stock values plunged and much venom was poured out on those within the transgender community. It did not take five seconds for some Christians to dive in with their moral judgment. I need to take a breath because this devotional typically covers less controversial topics. How about you?
I wonder if it has become too clichéd to ask, “What would Jesus do?” Take a moment with me and let the full weight of this question soak into your heart. I have indeed spent a considerable amount of time asking myself the question before I penned it for this devotional!
How may I, for example, show Christ’s love to people who are encountering extreme gender confusion?* By the way, I also need to be concerned about the judgmental spiritual rash that too often covers my own soul (cf. Matthew 7:1 in the November 20, 2023, Pathway Devotional Ministry)!
Here are several spiritual thoughts for today. First, Jesus loved and supported all humankind, regardless of “carnal” orientation. We must remember that Christ outlines and forbids a wide range of moral conduct (5:21-48) that also includes heterosexual sin (cf. Matthew 5:27-28, 31-32). He did so because He knew the personal, family, and societal pain that such moral breakdown causes.
Even so, Jesus’ track record on ministry to sinners was unquestionably compassionate, as we see throughout the Gospels (cf., for example, John 8:3-5, 11, “Now in the Law, Moses commanded” and “Neither do I condemn you, go and sin no more”; John 4:13-18, “whoever drinks of the water that I will give him”).
Secondly, we also should observe that He ran afoul, however, of the MLL, the “Mosaic Legalist Lobby,” so to speak (see Matthew 12:9-14; esp. 14). Their systemic moral breakdown caught His attention and His condemnation. He did not satisfy their religio-political-moral agenda, so they sought to kill Him (cf. Matthew 26:3-4; John 18:14). What did Jesus do when faced with this condemnation? Redirect His ministry? Soften His Kingdom of God requirements? Hardly. Simply stated, He obeyed God’s will and laid the essential, sacrificial groundwork for the Kingdom of Heaven (John 18:36).
Nothing will prevent those with a religio-political-moral agenda from opposing any organization, ministry, or person that does not bend the knee to their moral authority (cf. LGBTQ lobby, on the one hand, and Christian religio-political legalists on the other; i.e., justice/rights claims). The real opposition then, and now, is Christological, meaning that, if Jesus is God’s Messiah, then every knee must bow, and every tongue confess, that He is Lord.
Finally, Jesus heals and requires us to follow Him. The leper did so and was healed; but sadly, the Jewish leaders refused to do so and needlessly condemned themselves (John 3:18; 18:19-24). Regardless, Jesus continued to love all people, heal the sick, call for repentance, and preach about the Kingdom of God (John 3:16-17). Hmm. In Ashlock speak: “People who make a religion out of an agenda always sputter when seeking to swallow the living water Christ offers” (John 4; 11:49-50).
I wonder if it has become too clichéd to ask, “What would Jesus do?” Take a moment with me and let the full weight of this question soak into your heart. I have indeed spent a considerable amount of time asking myself the question before I penned it for this devotional!
How may I, for example, show Christ’s love to people who are encountering extreme gender confusion?* By the way, I also need to be concerned about the judgmental spiritual rash that too often covers my own soul (cf. Matthew 7:1 in the November 20, 2023, Pathway Devotional Ministry)!
Here are several spiritual thoughts for today. First, Jesus loved and supported all humankind, regardless of “carnal” orientation. We must remember that Christ outlines and forbids a wide range of moral conduct (5:21-48) that also includes heterosexual sin (cf. Matthew 5:27-28, 31-32). He did so because He knew the personal, family, and societal pain that such moral breakdown causes.
Even so, Jesus’ track record on ministry to sinners was unquestionably compassionate, as we see throughout the Gospels (cf., for example, John 8:3-5, 11, “Now in the Law, Moses commanded” and “Neither do I condemn you, go and sin no more”; John 4:13-18, “whoever drinks of the water that I will give him”).
Secondly, we also should observe that He ran afoul, however, of the MLL, the “Mosaic Legalist Lobby,” so to speak (see Matthew 12:9-14; esp. 14). Their systemic moral breakdown caught His attention and His condemnation. He did not satisfy their religio-political-moral agenda, so they sought to kill Him (cf. Matthew 26:3-4; John 18:14). What did Jesus do when faced with this condemnation? Redirect His ministry? Soften His Kingdom of God requirements? Hardly. Simply stated, He obeyed God’s will and laid the essential, sacrificial groundwork for the Kingdom of Heaven (John 18:36).
Nothing will prevent those with a religio-political-moral agenda from opposing any organization, ministry, or person that does not bend the knee to their moral authority (cf. LGBTQ lobby, on the one hand, and Christian religio-political legalists on the other; i.e., justice/rights claims). The real opposition then, and now, is Christological, meaning that, if Jesus is God’s Messiah, then every knee must bow, and every tongue confess, that He is Lord.
Finally, Jesus heals and requires us to follow Him. The leper did so and was healed; but sadly, the Jewish leaders refused to do so and needlessly condemned themselves (John 3:18; 18:19-24). Regardless, Jesus continued to love all people, heal the sick, call for repentance, and preach about the Kingdom of God (John 3:16-17). Hmm. In Ashlock speak: “People who make a religion out of an agenda always sputter when seeking to swallow the living water Christ offers” (John 4; 11:49-50).
For Thought and Action
1. The critical question for us today has been asked by the Savior, “Do you truly follow me?” Take time to answer Him, then live it daily (Luke 9:23, “take up your cross daily”).
2. The broader answer to Christ’s “Follow me” will be lived out in our contemporary cultural moral turbulence. Take some time to look ahead to see areas where you will be required to stand firm in allegiance to Christ, then ask for God’s help in that coming day.
3. For Families: This devotional clearly teaches us that we need a spirit of discernment now more than ever. As families, we are aware that there are moral stances that Christian groups take. Some of these, like pro-life, are firmly rooted in Scripture, demand our attention, and motivate action/advocacy on our part. Choosing to love all people, rather than judging according to our standards, is another. The razor’s edge is how we go about it. How we do something is just as important as that we do something.
As a family, sitting around your table or living room, identify and articulate what you stand for, as Christians, and then guide (and model) how standing for Christ is to be done in the most Christ-like way. Jesus knew how each person He met was feeling (think about Zacchaeus). He always loved people, cared for them, and gave them hope for a future, both here and in Heaven.
We can do some hard thinking and responding as Christian families. May compassion and love rule our hearts, as we rub shoulders with folks both within Christian circles and outside of them. One thing we do know for sure: the Holy Spirit can guide us to do exactly the right thing, at the right time, in the right way, with the right motive. We just need to ask His guidance, listen, and follow.
May your paths be straight,
Larry C. Ashlock
2. The broader answer to Christ’s “Follow me” will be lived out in our contemporary cultural moral turbulence. Take some time to look ahead to see areas where you will be required to stand firm in allegiance to Christ, then ask for God’s help in that coming day.
3. For Families: This devotional clearly teaches us that we need a spirit of discernment now more than ever. As families, we are aware that there are moral stances that Christian groups take. Some of these, like pro-life, are firmly rooted in Scripture, demand our attention, and motivate action/advocacy on our part. Choosing to love all people, rather than judging according to our standards, is another. The razor’s edge is how we go about it. How we do something is just as important as that we do something.
As a family, sitting around your table or living room, identify and articulate what you stand for, as Christians, and then guide (and model) how standing for Christ is to be done in the most Christ-like way. Jesus knew how each person He met was feeling (think about Zacchaeus). He always loved people, cared for them, and gave them hope for a future, both here and in Heaven.
We can do some hard thinking and responding as Christian families. May compassion and love rule our hearts, as we rub shoulders with folks both within Christian circles and outside of them. One thing we do know for sure: the Holy Spirit can guide us to do exactly the right thing, at the right time, in the right way, with the right motive. We just need to ask His guidance, listen, and follow.
May your paths be straight,
Larry C. Ashlock
*Notice, I have not directly mentioned people who “self-identify” as transgender and who have never experienced dysphoria. I seek today to ensure a close application to leprosy. Lepers did not choose their disease and there are those within the transgender community who did not choose to feel trapped inside their bodies. The entire moral concern of transgenderism is too deep and wide to be adequately addressed in this devotional series. The ethical issue must be taken up in Pathway Ethics, another Baptist Center for Global Concerns platform.
Posted in Pathway Devotionals