Goats and Lepers

We received a note card from someone in our former congregation over the weekend. What she wrote brought tears and anger to both Leonora and me. This lady, we’ll call her Mary, can be difficult to deal with. She has some emotional/mental health issues that result in her being much more persistent in asking for what she wants; she can come across as accusatory, and her approach to people is generally direct and without social niceties. That being said, she is very kind, extremely giving, and has a gift of discernment about people through the Holy Spirit that she does not realize. She is on permanent disability, and lives well below the poverty level.

Since God sent us out of California to our new mission field, Mary has been attending a church near her home. One I know well that had extended space to our congregation without charge. However, Mary’s approach has nearly worn out her welcome. Recently, her rent has been increased 35%; we all know grocery prices are up over 20% since the beginning of the year, but her income remains the same. She went to the church to ask for help and was told [paraphrasing,] “We’ve helped you a lot; we’re not doing any more, so stop bothering us.” In honesty, they have helped out financially from time to time, and with rides to the store on many occasions. But can we ever help those in need too much? How can someone in need be a burden on an active congregation? The answer simply, is that the church is functioning IN the world, taking the label of Christian, without have actions that are the result of inwardly being true disciples acting as the Body of Christ within their community.

Mary, for all of her outward appearances and actions, is a social leper. No one really wants to be around her, for fear they will catch the judgment of society as they see her interactions. It’s important to recall how Christ dealt with lepers; he healed them.

² And behold, a leper came and worshiped Him, saying, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.” ³ Then Jesus put out His hand and touched him, saying, “I am willing; be cleansed.” Immediately his leprosy was cleansed.  (Matthew 8.2-3)

¹² Then as He entered a certain village, there met Him ten men who were lepers, who stood afar off. ¹³ And they lifted up their voices and said, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” ¹⁴ So when He saw them, He said to them, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And so it was that as they went, they were cleansed.  (Luke 17.12-14)

Is this congregation treating the leper in their midst as Christ did? Or are they responding as most of the world does, crossing to the other side of the road. I’m afraid for the congregation; God is giving them every opportunity to be sheep, yet through their attitudes and actions they are acting like goats.

³² All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. ³³ And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. ³⁴ Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: ³⁵ for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; ³⁶ I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’
 
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⁴⁴ “Then they also will answer Him saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?’ ⁴⁵ Then He will answer them, saying, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’ ⁴⁶ And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”  (Matthew 25.32-36, 44-46)

What will happen on the day of judgment to those in the congregation who Mary made uncomfortable with her social leprosy, who asked for help with food and drink, acted as a stranger, was imprisoned with her mental illness, and needed ministering and love? Will they be judged sheep to sit at the right hand of Christ in eternal life, or goats sent to everlasting punishment?

God’s mercy is without limit, until the time has come when our actions and intentions are judged. I urge you to reflect on those who make you uncomfortable, who have needs that are unmet; are you acting as a disciple of Christ, or are you acting according to the rules and norms of the world?