Mark 1:44
“Say nothing to anyone. Take the offering for cleansing that Moses prescribed and present yourself to the priest. This will validate your healing to the people.”
“Don’t tell anyone about this. Instead, go to the priest and let him examine you. Take along the offering required in the law of Moses for those who have been healed of leprosy. This will be a public testimony that you have been cleansed.”
Jesus was concerned not just with the leper, but the leper’s community also. Even though a leper, this man existed in a mesh of human relationships. These were affected by his healing. Jesus instructed him how to begin acclimating his world to his new status. He had been healed physically. Now he needed to carve out a different space in society. Jesus told him, and he tells us today that, as much as possible, we must begin by submitting to the law of our land.
Lord, help me. I feel so socially handicapped. My illness keeps me isolated, and the sphere of my perspective ever narrows. Help me to stay attached to my community in spirit though I am physically absent. Keep my eyes directed outward that I may honor you, my relational Lord, with ties to my earthly community.