The scripture on Sunday was about a man who was healed. This man was isolated from his community and not able to do anything because of his disease. He even had to live in the tombs, where the dead were buried, because he was not allowed to live anywhere else.
More importantly to the story that tells us the character of God, this man lived in a foreign country that most Jewish people, especially rabbis which Jesus was considered to be, were not supposed to travel to.
This territory was considered “unclean” because the residents did not follow the laws of the Torah. It was important that a rabbi keep ritually “clean” and going to the land of the gentiles, working with a gentile, in the eyes of the Pharisees and Sadducee, made Jesus unclean and breaking the law of the Torah.
I share all this information because Jesus caring for this man, whom everyone else had dismisses, Jesus risking status among the Jews, risking everything to offer healing to this man lets us know how much God is willing to do to show God’s love. Jesus actions speak to the character of God that meets us where we are, whoever we are, whatever we have that doesn’t allow us to live a full life and offering us healing, love and grace.
This week, may you experience a God who meets you where you are and offers you God’s extravagant love. In the love, may you go out into the world and do the same, offer God’s extravagant love to others.
If you have a prayer request or want to talk, please email me at pastor@stmatthews-elca.org
Peace and prayers,
Pastor Lesley