Feb 22 - Lenten Devotional

"And he ordered him to tell no one. 'Go,' he said, 'and show yourself to the priest, and, as Moses commanded, make an offering for your cleansing, for a testimony to them.'" (Luke 5:14)


Following our weekend conversation with Anna Carter Florence on Testimony this text comes to us with perfect timing. Here we find words from Jesus about testimony. Following his healing of this man with leprosy we get a very intriguing list of commands that add up to what testimony is.

"Tell no one"

"Go"

"show yourself"

"make an offering"

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"Tell no one"
We Presbyterians have a way with words. We love to reflect on them... to define and understand them... to shape them and speak them... to listen and be informed by them. However, when it comes to testimony in this text... there isn't anything to do with words, it rather actions that are of importance here. In fact we begin with a prohibition of words - "tell no one!" Its easy to think that testimony is about telling people things, convincing people by good rhetoric or passionate discourse that what you believe is true. I am certain there is a time and place for that - speaking our faith has its place. But not here - not in this text.

"Go"
Any audience where they are knows what has happened. Jesus wants this testimony to happen not in front of a "home crowd" - these aren't the people who need the message. Instead Jesus sends this man who has been formerly a leper to the temple presumably - to the priest clearly - a place that he has been denied because he has been "unclean". Jesus has sent him to "contested spaces" to give witness - testimony - to people who most need to see God's healing power at work in the world in new and wondrous ways.

"show yourself"
The testimony isn't a matter of words or speaking of what this man believes. He is to show himself - he is to be a living testimony of Christ's healing power. Simply let the story speak for itself! How often have we quoted St. Francis of Assisi: "Preach the Gospel at all times, if necessary - use words." Here is Jesus version of that same claim: let your life speak!

"make an offering"
Its hard to put a finger on exactly what Jesus means here - it is a reference to Leviticus 14 and the laws regarding how a priest can restore a leper to the community if they are healed. The priest cannot, has not been able, to heal the leper. The priest is only able to either forbid him entry to the community or re-unite him to the community. So while it would be possible to assume that the offering here is that which is prescribed by Leviticus, I wonder if its a mistake to assume that this is all that Jesus means here. Certainly what also gets offered when this man presents himself and his offering to the priest is what the story will speak for him: that Jesus was able to offer healing to this man. Jesus was able to give him a way back to wholeness as he is restored to community and possibilities and hope. The offering is his life as testimony to the power and work of Christ in his life.

As we think about our discipleship... are we listening and living this kind of testimony? Do we "go"? Do we travel into the "contested spaces" of our lives to witness there - or do we only witness in places that are comfortable?

Do we "show ourselves"? There is so much temptation to maintain masks, fit in, play by the rules. Are we willing to break from that when necessary to allow our lives to show - speak - our living witness to the power and work of Christ in our lives?

To the crux of the issue: Do we make our lives an offering?

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Healing God - your power and presence are at work in the world in wondrous and amazing ways. Stir us that we too will be at work allowing our lives to give testimony to your life giving presence - to witness that you are journeying with us. Let our unfolding stories be a pleasing offering to you and a witness to your world. Amen.