Letting go

A leper came to him begging him, and kneeling he said to him, “If you choose, you can make me clean.” Moved with pity, Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, and he was made clean. Mark 1: 40-42

Two things present themselves in this passage. First, the leper approaches Jesus which is something unusual for that day. Lepers were expected to stay clear of others and to announce themselves from a distance. Second, the text says that Jesus reached out and touched the leper. Jesus isn’t afraid even though most people would have been afraid of contracting leprosy.

Jesus shows his willingness t...