“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.” Instead he went out and began to talk freely, spreading the news. 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 1:43-45 NIV)
We read the account of the insubordinate leper and and we realize our disobedience yields Kingdom consequences. Why is it so difficult for us to follow God’s instructions?
The man who experienced the miracle was surely ecstatic and the presentation to the priests must have felt like unnecessary pageantry. He knew he was healed; he could see and feel his wholeness. I suspect the cured leper was just ready to resume his regular life. But in his fervor, his lack of compliance had two obvious and immediate consequences:
First, the priests didn’t get to hear his testimony. What difference might that have made? If they had an opportunity to examine, question, and ruminate on this man’s miraculous encounter with Jesus on their own terms, how might that have set the stage differently for Jesus’ ministry? God only knows. What we know for sure is that Jesus’ stated will was that the man would go through the proper protocol for the miracle to be documented by the local synagogue. Disobedience denied that opportunity.
Second, the crowd converged on Jesus as a result of this man’s carrying on. It appears that Jesus altered course as a direct result of this disobedience. Instead “He went out to lonely places.” There may have been divine appointments that didn’t happen because the healed leper did things his own way.
Often, our obedience has to do with opportunities for others. You and I are so self-absorbed, we struggle to see it. But in this biblical narrative, we can clearly articulate the cost of this man’s disobedience. The cured leper didn’t do anything terrible, he just didn’t do what Jesus asked of him. And his disobedience, as benign as it appears, had Kingdom consequences.
When Jesus asks us to do something or refrain from something, we need to trust that He can see much farther than we can. His sovereignty allows Him insight on all the ways our little life might affect others. We need to obey out of deference for His authority as Lord and trust in His goodness. We won’t know the cost of our disobedience on this side of heaven, but we can be sure that sin always carries a high price tag.
“Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make Our home in them.” (John 14:23 NIV)
It seems obedience invites the further indwelling of the Spirit in our frames. How delightful and encouraging! We want more of God, and obedience in the means by which we receive Him.
Lord, today we recognize anew the importance of obedience, even when we don’t understand the why. Let us cooperate with Your instructions: immediately and completely. We trust in Your sovereignty and Your goodness. We acknowledge You as Lord. Amen.