77. Jesus and the Leper: Clean Hands, Clean Heart
There is a moment in the Gospels that feels almost too stark to read quickly. A person with leprosy approaches Jesus, and the first thing we notice is not the disease itself, but the posture of exclusion. In many ancient settings, people with contagious conditions were kept at a distance long before anyone tried to understand their interior life, their hopes, or their ability to suffer with dignity. When the leper comes near, it is an act of risk. When Jesus reaches out, it