Breakfast With the Word. Jesus does not reject the rejected. Friday After Epiphany (Short Version)

Breakfast With the Word (Short Version)

Luke 5:12–16.

Rejection is a painful human experience. Many people are rejected because of poverty, weakness, sickness, or circumstances beyond their control.

The leper in today’s Gospel represents all who are pushed aside, avoided, and treated as unclean.

In Jewish culture, lepers were isolated and considered unworthy of community and worship. Yet instead of dying in isolation, this man takes a bold step of faith and approaches Jesus, saying, “If you want to, you can make me clean.” He leaves everything in the hands of Jesus.

Jesus responds without hesitation. He stretches out His hand, touches the leper, and heals him immediately.

By touching him, Jesus shows that He does not reject the rejected. While others avoided the man, Jesus welcomed him. While society saw an outcast, Jesus saw a human being in need of love and restoration.

This encounter reveals who Jesus truly is: a healer, a savior, and one who accepts us as we are. When others fail us, Jesus remains faithful. When we come to Him with humility and trust, we can never remain the same.

Message:
No matter how rejected or broken you feel, Jesus will never reject you. Go to Him with faith, allow Him to act in His own way, and He will make you whole again.

Prayer:
May God stay with us even when others abandon us, and may He never allow us to be put to shame. Amen.