Within the range of human emotions, shame is one of the most painful. We feel shame when we judge ourselves worthless because we have (or believe we have) crossed the boundaries of acceptable human behavior. In art, shame usually is depicted by covering of the face with one’s hands. When we’re ashamed, we want to hide.
Shame is the first emotion mentioned in the Bible. Before the Fall, Adam and Eve were in the garden in perfect fellowship with God and one another, and they were “naked, and they felt no shame” (Genesis 2:25). But they sinned by crossing the boundaries God had set, and immediately they hid themselves from one another and from God.
In moments like these, shame is a useful emotion. God created within us the capacity to be ashamed so we would sense when we act in ways outside the boundaries God sets for us. But we can also feel this discomfort and lack of worth when we are shamed by others, even for things that are not our fault.
That was the case for lepers in Jesus’ day. They were ostracized for having a contagious, debilitating and deadly disease. The law of Moses states: “The person with such an infectious disease must wear torn clothes, let his hair be unkempt, cover the lower part of his face and cry out, ‘Unclean! Unclean!’ As long as he has the infection he remains unclean. He must live alone; he must live outside the camp” (Leviticus 13:45-46). For this reason, they had very lonely lives. The lack of human connection and affirmation made them feel great shame.
This makes the scene in Luke 5:12-16 all the more astounding. We are introduced to a man who is “covered in leprosy” (v. 12). This was no slight case, but one advanced and apparent. Sores covered this body. When the leper heard Jesus was near, he broke the rules. He came out into the open. This unclean man approached the rabbi, bowed before him, and begged him.
When Adam and Eve felt shame, they hid themselves from God (Genesis 3:8). When God engaged them in dialogue about their state, they pointed away from themselves. Adam blamed Eve, and Eve blamed the serpent (Genesis 3:12-13). Because of their shame, they wanted as far away from God as possible. And they certainly didn’t want his attention on them.
How different is the leper in Luke 5. He approaches Jesus and asks for his attention. Imagine the great risk this man took. He could be ridiculed and rejected. Jesus could jump back, disgusted by his appearance and put off by the disrespect of one “unclean” approaching him so closely. He could be shamed, again. But something made the risk worth it. He came out from hiding and to Jesus.
What was the difference? What made this leper willing to approach the Lord, but Adam and Eve unwilling? Well, Adam and Eve were the first to have to face God after sinning. They didn’t know what to expect. But the leper had the benefit of God’s history with Israel, a story full of miracles, mercy and forgiveness.
The leper’s words deserve being pondered. He did not ask Jesus if he could heal him. He did not even ask if he would he him. He doesn’t ask a question at all. He makes a statement, simple and full of faith. “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean” (v. 12). If Jesus wanted him cleansed, he could do it. He is Lord over all, including diseases.
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Do you believe this? Do you believe Jesus is Lord over all, that he reigns over creation such that he can do whatever he desires? If he wants an illness gone, it can go. If he wants sins forgiven, they are covered. If he wants the dead raised, they will live. “Our God is in heaven; he does whatever pleases him” (Psalm 115:3).
Jesus’ response to the man shows he does, in fact, want the leper clean. In verse 14, Jesus says, “I am willing,” and then commands, “Be clean!” Then Luke writes, “And immediately the leprosy left him.” But the most captivating detail comes at the beginning of the verse: “Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man.”
Directly breaking the law of Moses, Jesus touched the man. That would have been the first human contact the leper had in years. After being forced to live in solitude and announce his approach with cries of “Unclean, unclean!” this man was shown dignity and worth and compassion. Jesus touched him.
Jesus didn’t need to touch him. His words are sufficient to heal. Or he could have touched the man after making him clean. But before performing a miracle or saying a word, Jesus touched him while he was yet “unclean.” Perhaps Jesus saw the man’s greatest need was not physical cleansing, but the spiritual healing that comes only from God’s hand.
Jesus still works this way. We come to him with our many requests, but he knows our greatest need—the touch that breaks us of our shame. We need not hide ourselves like Adam and Eve. We can trust the story of the leper and come to Jesus in faith. The greatest gift Jesus gives is himself, and he gives himself even when we are unclean. “While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).
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