And a leper came to him, imploring him, and kneeling said to him, “If you will, you can make me clean.” Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand and touched him and said to him, “I will; be clean.” And immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean. And Jesus sternly charged him and sent him away at once, and said to him, “See that you say nothing to anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses commanded, for a proof to them.” But he went out and began to talk freely about it, and to spread the news, so that Jesus could no longer openly enter a town, but was out in desolate places, and people were coming to him from every quarter.

Grouping people by their challenges or physical characteristics that are different is childish and destructive. Yet this seems to happen time and again: Indians, Blacks, Arabs and others have been grouped together and thought of as “less than” by others. Today, movements are afoot to label and vilify those who don’t approve of any narrative the news media is pushing. Those who didn’t get the COVID vaccine are “anti-vaxxers‭‭”. Those who supported President Trump are “white-supremists”. Those who might have had an abortion in the past are evil and baby-killers (though they did take a life, forgiveness can still be had)‭‭. Those who want one world government are “globalists”. Those who want national sovereignty are “egotists”. The list goes on and on.

Jesus, instead, focused on the hearts of people individually. He saw past the problem or outcast feature to their potential to love and serve. He had pity or compassion on this beggar and healed him.

Jesus healed this man and instructed him to stay quiet about it. The man probably wondered why he couldn’t talk about it, and thought it was a dumb rule. But Jesus had a plan to teach and heal more.

Sometimes I think God’s plans and rules are not important to follow. Just like the leper, adopting this selfish mindset could mean God’s plan cannot proceed as he desires and people might not be helped or provided for in the process.

Lord, help me to look past diseases, peculiarities, and the outward appearance, and into the hearts of those you have called me to serve. Teach me to shine your light indiscriminately to all those I encounter. May your glory be revealed in me!