Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: FRESH (04/29/21)
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TITLE: Fresh as a Judean Sunrise | Previous Challenge Entry
By Bonnie Bowden
05/05/21 -
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Stumbling out of my cave, the early light illuminated my deformities through the ochre haze. My staff helped support me as I walked the rugged terrain. It had been seven years since I had traveled this path. The rags covering my mouth made it hard to breathe.
From the moment the first white sore appeared, I became an outcast. The first day after my ouster, my wife came and left a sack of clothing and a small ration of food for me outside the city gates. Our eyes locked from afar. I knew she loved me, but I couldn’t bear for her to look at me with heartbreak and pity. I slipped further into the encampment, so she would never again have to bear my burdens.
I hadn't looked back. Until today.
I didn’t fault anyone. I understood. Leprosy had left me with oozing sores all over my body, tips of my fingers and toes missing, and the stench of death clinging to me like perfume. At least a dog could roam freely; while a bell hung from my neck, warning others to stay away. How many nights had my own voice echoed through the air as I cried out to God? Who sinned? My parents? Me? What have I done to You? But no answers came. Only silence.
From behind a bush, I spotted him descending a hill as large crowds of people followed behind.
When he was close enough, I came out from my hiding place.
“Rabbi.”
A woman shouted, “Unclean! Unclean! Get back.”
A man in the group said, “It’s a leper. Don’t breathe his air.”
Everyone stepped back but Jesus. He stepped toward me.
I fell to my knees, and put my face to the ground imploring,” Lord if you want to, you can heal me and make me clean.”
With one word, Jesus could have made me well. But he wanted more than to heal me. He wanted to reinstate my place in the community. He wanted to give me back my family and friends. He wanted to stop the disease that was eating me alive. So instead, Jesus stretched out His hand and touched me. Think of that … unworthy of the touch of a man, yet worthy of the touch of God.
“I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!”
Energy radiated through my body. The changes were instantaneous. My skin became smooth where it had been scaly. I experienced sensations where there had been numbness. I felt vitality where there had been atrophy. My back straightened, and my head lifted.
Jesus drew me nearer and said, “Don’t tell anyone about this, but go and show yourself to the priest and offer a gift for your healing, as Moses commanded. This will show the people, what I have done.”
My awakening felt as fresh as a Judean sunrise. It was so glorious. His great love washed over me. I was made new.
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Matthew 8:2-4; Mark 1:40-45; Luke 5: 12-16
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