January 27 | Luke 5:12-16

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DAILY READING

Luke 5:12-16

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REFLECTION

An Early Adopter

By Dave Mann

You have undoubtedly heard of “Early Adopters” – people who like to be among the first to

purchase newly developed products.  They are risk-takers.  After this group, there are the “Early Majority” and the “Late Majority.”  Finally, there is the " Laggards " group that doesn't like risk and waits until they are the last person on the block to own a smartphone.  (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diffusion_of_innovations)

Apply this concept to those who choose to follow Jesus.  Normally, when looking for the first to express faith in Jesus, we point to Peter (Matthew 16:16), Martha (John 11:27), or those who left their nets and followed him (Mark 1:18).  But why not include this leper as an early adopter?  The entire community had ostracized this man because he had what was considered a very contagious and incurable skin disease.  He was stuck in a medical and social position that presumably had no possible positive outcome. 

Yet, early in Jesus’ ministry, not too long after Jesus started preaching when the leper encountered Jesus, he proclaimed, “Lord, ... you can make me clean” (v. 12).  He didn’t wait for everyone else to try out “the product.”  He jumped in right with a public proclamation that Jesus was able to make his wretched life better.  It was not a matter of:  “Can he, or can’t he?”  He knew that Jesus was capable.  He knew that Jesus had the power.  The only issue was if Jesus, as Lord, was willing to unleash his power in his particular case and at this specific time – “Lord, if you are willing.”  This pitiable man announced for all the world to hear that Jesus was able to and that Jesus had the authority to exercise his will as he chose.

There is a lot we can learn from this leper.  Many of us (and I include myself) have settled to live in situations that we consider “unfixable.”  We rub shoulders with others who follow Jesus, and yet, we doubt that anything will change for us.  It is as though we are waiting for others to buy into what Jesus has before we risk it ourselves.  We let others be the early adopters.  We are content to be the Late Majority or among the Laggards.  Let us not be so proud that we fail to learn a lesson or two from a leper who dared to be among the Early Adopters of those who followed Jesus.

PRAYER

Almighty God, thank you that you sent Jesus to embrace the poor and marginalized with the kingdom message.  Allow me to believe that you are able and willing to have the kingdom of God break into the entirety of my life, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

DAVE MANN

I am a Pastor for Internationals (retired) in the UALC community. I am married to Pam, father of four, and grandfather of six. Pam and I have lived twenty of our years in other countries including France, Cameroon, Haiti, and Morocco. In retirement, we continue to enjoy writing devotionals, learning languages, and teaching English to internationals.

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