Ignoring Directions

"Jesus sent him away at once with a strong warning: 'See that you don't tell this to anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them.'" Mark 1:43-44

A man with leprosy approaches Jesus and falls to his knees.

"If you are willing, you can make me clean." Mark 1:40

Jesus is willing. He heals the leper and immediately sends him away with specific directions:

Don't talk to anyone.
Go directly to the priest and present yourself.
Offer a sacrifice in keeping with the law of Moses...
That your healing would serve as a witness for those who do not believe.

A small thing to ask considering the fact that the man has just received his life back.

"Instead he went out and began to talk freely, spreading the news." Mark 1:45a

Everytime I read this story, I identify with the leper. I am right there with him; dancing, celebrating and spreading the good news that Jesus heals. Who can blame him for forgetting, in his exuberance, what Jesus told him to do?

But because the leper ignores Jesus' directions there are consequences. And those consequences have a direct effect on the Healer, himself.

"As a result, Jesus could no longer enter a town openly but stayed outside in lonely places. Yet the people still came to him from everywhere." Mark 1:45b

He could no longer enter a town without being mobbed. He could no longer take refuge in someone's home for a quiet meal or sleep in a bed without being disturbed. Instead, God With Us called the "lonely places" home...and even there the people found him.

I am the leper...condemned, unclean, begging, eyes on the Savior...
willing to do whatever Jesus tell me to in order to be healed.

And I am the leper...saved, clean, exuberant, eyes on myself...
forgetting Him in the joy of the healing moment.

Forgive me this I pray.
In Jesus' name, Amen.