Preparing for Week 3

History reveals to us great followers of Christ. One of the great examples is that of Damien of Molokai (Joseph Damien of Belgium). He resided on a Hawaiian Island that is home to some of the highest cliffs, the greenest palms, and ferns... I know you are already envious... thinking, yes, that is a great example... Well, he was not there for the tropical climate, and our view of how he spent his leisure time may not be so enticing. You see, the isle of Molokai is where the lepers of the islands were sent. Leprosy in those days had not treatment, and no cure, so people would be sent there to die in a "colony of the dead." But Joseph Damien's heart burned with the love of Christ, and so risking infection himself, he went there to live, and minister to the lepers in order to share Christ with them.

It was in the process of ministering to them that one day pouring boiling water in a cup, that some splashed out onto his foot. He was stunned by the fact that he did not feel it, so out of curiosity, he poured some on the other foot, and there was no feeling there either. He probably paused for an eternity at the horror of what he was witnessing - realizing that he was seeing the advanced stages of the dreadful nerve disease in his own body.

Joseph Damien poured his life into these people, he loved them with a love that few of us are willing to risk. That morning as he entered the pulpit to preach, the people were very surprised t hear a change in his opening line. Usually he opened by saying. "My fellow believers." but on this morning, he opened by saying, "my fellow lepers." He didn't stop preaching, but now he preached with empathy that he formerly did not posses.

We see this same love played out as the Son of God empties himself of his glory, and comes in the form of a man. He was with God; he was God, and yet he dwelt among us. As we embody the love of Christ this week before the international students that God has brought us, lets keep in mind that we are no better, we have no more to offer, we have nothing that will help them in this world except Christ in us - not ministering down to them, but coming to them as "fellow lepers" who have found the cure.

Selah,
James Biesiadecki