Ministry and Exhaustion

The garden where we know Jesus retreated to pray. 

Scripture:

Luke 5:12   Once, when he was in one of the cities, there was a man covered with leprosy. When he saw Jesus, he bowed with his face to the ground and begged him, “Lord, if you choose, you can make me clean.” ¹³ Then Jesus stretched out his hand, touched him, and said, “I do choose. Be made clean.” Immediately the leprosy left him. ¹⁴ And he ordered him to tell no one. “Go,” he said, “and show yourself to the priest, and, as Moses commanded, make an offering for your cleansing, for a testimony to them.” ¹⁵ But now more than ever the word about Jesus spread abroad; many crowds would gather to hear him and to be cured of their diseases. ¹⁶ But he would withdraw to deserted places and pray.

Observation:

Luke leads us through several stories of healing, beginning with this man with leprosy. Amazingly, Luke mentions this event happening in a city, where it would have been unusual for a leper to come to Jesus. This man suffered from not only a physical ailment, but also from a disease which alienated him from society. He was to live in a permanent position of social distancing. 

Jesus did the unthinkable — he touched the man. The faith of the leper was obvious by his words because he knew that his healing was the choice of the Master. Jesus chooses and makes him “clean.” This language goes far beyond that of his need for physical healing, but it is also his restoration in society. This is the return to equilibrium that occurs at the touch of Jesus. 

Not wanting more attention, Jesus tells him to tell no one, but to go and show himself to the priest. This was an important part of the man’s healing, because the priest would declare him clean so that he could return to society. 

Obviously people wanted to find Jesus after word spread about his work and ministry. This work became exhausting and Jesus needed to find time away to pray. He would find a deserted place where he could continue his usual practice of prayer. 

Application:

There are two sides to the story we read today. One is the miraculous work done in the life of a leper. I think, since coping with COVID and learning all the rules of social distancing, most of us can relate to this man. We wear our masks and we don’t touch anyone. I don’t know about you, but after months of this practice, it gets tiring — and lonely. Recently I spent an entire week alone in a hotel room in New York meeting the quarantine requirements of the state so that I could ordain a new group of elders. Spending that entire week alone made me think about those who have been living alone during this season. I longed for human touch and face to face conversation — not through a mask. I was grateful to get home — retest negative — and hug my family! I can’t imagine the loneliness of the leper and his desperate need for healing. Jesus met his every need and his life was restored to him. That’s the joyous story of promise that we read in today’s passage. 

Jesus’ ministry cost him something - and that was his own time and emotional energy. Discerning the right treatment and message for the people in the crowd was something that he had to do on a daily basis. His life was one of consistent word and deed. Jesus was also becoming popular and this could take up so much of his time and energy that he might be at a loss of time for his relationship with the Father. The people weren’t concerned about Jesus conserving his power, they simply wanted to be touched by him. Jesus had to find a way to keep his ministry in balance. 

This season has led to the exhaustion of many of our pastors and leaders. New patterns of ministry and almost daily adjustments can lead to burn-out. Even if there is popularity in ministry — by way of on-line ministry — there is so much more that needs to happen to keep people connected to their faith. Intentionality in discipleship and weekly ministry are good — but can also be draining. 

Jesus knew that his ministry was exhausting and so he had to find ways to get away. He withdrew from the people and prayed so that he could be empowered for the Father’s mission. Over and over again this becomes the lesson from Luke. Nothing is to be done without the leading of the Holy Spirit in our lives. There are moments when we must intentionally disconnect from all that we are doing in this world and remain connected to the one who empowers us for work and ministry. 

Prayer:

Lord, may hints of exhaustion be reminders to withdraw and recharge.  Amen.