Questions - Pt 3: What Does Following Jesus Look Like?
Christus und die Aussätzigen, 1920, Gebhard Fugel (1863–1939)
In our attempt to imitate Jesus, I wanted to look at how He treated some of the people who were most mistreated. In the Old Testament, there were many rules around cleanliness. God tells us that He sets aside some priests without blemish to serve Him (Leviticus 21:21–23). The religious leaders took what started out as reverence for God and eventually turned it into derision for anyone who didn’t measure up physically. Religious leaders enforced practices that excluded / separated people from God and His goodness.
Jesus' treatment of the sick was shocking to most. Fueled by compassion, love, and a deep understanding of the human condition His healing demonstrated that God's love is available to all people, regardless of their circumstances or status. Jesus healed the outside physical ailments and the inward spiritual and emotional sickness. He not only healed people of their diseases but He restored their dignity. He provided them hope and a sense of belonging they found no where else.
Jesus was a radical paradigm shifter. He challenged the social norms by touching people who were considered unclean outcasts. He rewarded and praised faith in God first “your faith has made you well”.
Man with leprosy in a city in Galilee (Matthew 8:2-3, Mark 1:40-42, Luke 5:12-13)
Two blind men in Capernaum (Matthew 9:29-30)
The woman who touched Jesus' garment (Mark 5:25-34)
Daughter of Jairus (Mark 5:35-43)
The woman from Syrophoenicia (Matthew 15:21-28, Mark 7:24-30)
Jesus physically touched those viewed as untouchable or dead.
Leprosy in a city in Galilee (Matthew 8:2-3, Mark 1:40-42, Luke 5:12-13)
Death of Peter's mother-in-law (Matthew 8:14-15, Mark 1:30-31, Luke 4:38-39)
Blood of the woman who touched Jesus' garment (Mark 5:25-34)
Death Widow of Nain (Luke 7:11-17)
Death Widow of Zarephath (Luke 4:24-26)
Many people in a crowd in Capernaum (Luke 4:40)
Many people in Nazareth (Mark 6:4-6)
The woman bent double (Luke 13:10-17)
Two blind men near Jericho (Matthew 20:30,33-34)
A servant of the high priest whose ear Peter had cut off in the garden of Gethsemane (Luke 22:50-51)
Jesus used healing as a teaching moment or to demonstrate who He was.
The widow of Zarephath (Luke 4:24-26)
Lazarus (John 11:1-44)
How should we treat the sick?
Serve the sick and those in need with compassion.
For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink?… Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of Mine, you did for Me. (Matthew 25:35-45)
Visit the sick. Sometimes just holding their hand is the physical touch they need to feel loved.
I was sick and you visited me, (Matthew 25:36)
Real religion is serving those in need.
"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." (James 1:27). This passage also encourages Christians to care for those who are in need, including the sick.
Pray for the sick.
Let the Elders know so they can pray and visit (James 5:14-15)
The Lord sustains him on his sickbed; in his illness, you restore him to full health (Psalm 41:3)
Just as Jesus, we are to have compassion for those with physical and emotional needs. We do not have the luxury of being able to heal. But we can show the same level of concern and love for those who are suffering.
