I think I will be focusing mainly on Mark 1:40-45, click the link to read...http://bible.oremus.org/?ql=101554885
A leper comes to Jesus. One outcast by God's own ordering through the law. Read through Levitcus 13-14 for more detail. Lepers were kept outside of town. They had to wear dirty cloths, and cover the lower part of their face. So that people would stay away they had to yell, "unclean, unclean!" Their sickness marginalized them. Leprosy steals away one's name, traded in for leper. It takes occupation, family, friends, and worship in community. I also read, they were referred to as "walking dead." So the leper comes to Jesus.
And Jesus cleanses him. Notice that he does not heal. He cleanses. Lepers are unclean. Jesus touches what is unclean and his touch cleanses the person. He has the leper go to he priest have the priest declare him clean. Why? Does Jesus want notoriety? It's the opposite really. Jesus tells him to keep quiet. He sends him to the priest because that is how he will be fully restored to the community. When that happens, he has a name, he becomes a person again and participate in the communal life.
Notice at the end. Jesus is the one being kept outside of town. At the start it is th leper kept outside of town. Jesus has so identified with the leper he is the marginal one, although the good news he spreads is spreading like crazy. The cross will be the ultimate identification with us. It will be where he is the ultimate outcast, as we yell "crucify, crucify." There he is kept outside. Jesus obedience leads him to touch what is unclean. Cleansing us and restoring us physically, socially, emotionally and spirtually. Kingdom boundaries are different.
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