Matthew 8:1-4
By Rev. Dr Fionna Chia
In the sermon I preached last Sunday, we looked at three stories of Jesus after he has just finished preaching his sermon on the mount. The first story related Jesus’ response when approached by a leper as he walked, surrounded by a crowd. The description ‘leper’ covered various skin diseases that bore lasting physical evidence. According to the Jewish laws, such affected persons were to live alone and apart from society. When approaching others they were to make obvious their distressed state and at the same time call out their (potential) contagious state by crying out, “unclean, unclean!” Our present COVID-19 crisis begins to highlight for us the depth of this man’s despair and isolation.
“Lord, if you choose, you can make me clean,” were the leper’s words to Jesus as the crowd thronged about him, straining to see what would happen next yet not wanting to get too close for fear of catching this man’s disease. Totally unexpected – perhaps even by the leper himself – Jesus moves towards him. “I do choose. Be made clean!” Jesus says as he touches him, he who hasn’t been touched or near anyone in years.
It would have been enough for Jesus to have just said the words. But Jesus showed not cursory willingness, but total willingness and total acceptance of the man. He honored the man with his touch and reinstated him to society. His love was not merely verbal, but visible.
What our Lord taught in his sermon on the mount:
“… let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven” (Matt 5:16)
“… unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven” (5:20)
He then shows in his interactions.
In the crisis we find ourselves with people’s anxiety and despair evident, how do we demonstrate our care and concern? How do we go about our daily tasks with the calmness and grace of our Lord? Some ideas:
Drop off a box of groceries and other staples to an elderly neighbour
Drop off a lovingly prepared meal to an isolated neighbor
Call members of your (extended) family to see how they are going … keep in touch more regularly!
Call friends, share their concerns, ask how you could pray for them
Offer to do the shopping or other errands for elderly friends/family
If you have a freezer full of food already, order take away to support a local café/restaurant owner
If you have sufficient funds set aside, provide employment for one or more people
If you are a healthcare worker, treat with compassion and composure
If you are a landlord, consider reducing/forgiving rent
These past weeks, I have found myself praying much more. Especially when words fail, praying effortlessly in a language unknown calms and settles the peaking anxiety I too have been feeling (obviously more than just the virus is contagious!) It doesn’t take much to feel overwhelmed by the panic of others and enter self-preservation mode. Thoughts become driven by fear and actions demonstrate a concern just for ourselves and those we love. Jesus said that our Father in heaven knows all the things we need (Matt 6:32) and reminds us to consider if by worrying whether we can add a single hour to our life. Let’s instead praise God for the good things and bring to him all our cares, trusting that he is bringing about his purposes for his world.
Some things we could pray for today:
Pray for our Prime Minister, Scott Morrison as he seeks to lead our nation through and out of this crisis. Pray that he would have access to wise counsel and that he himself would be given all the wisdom he requires during this time. Pray for his strength and sufficient good rest.
Pray for our nation, that there would be unity and resolve to seek the good of each other. That there would be peace amongst us and the courage to care not just for those we know, but that we would seek the wellbeing of all.
Pray for the church, that God will do his good work in us. Refining us as we seek to love and trust him even in times like these.
Pray for our children, that they would know the goodness of God through our lives.
Pray for ourselves, that we would know God’s peace. That we would continue to trust him in all things. For his provision for our every need. Pray for him to strengthen our faith and purify our love for others, for us to know how to love others as ourselves, and so to extend his kingdom here on earth.
A blessing:
‘The peace of God which passes all understanding keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God, and of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord; and the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you and remain with you always. Amen”