Christ cleansing a leper by Jean-Marie Melchior Doze, 1864
Wait a minute, person. I’m almost finished with all that fish in the boat.
I had to work really hard to eat all that. It took me two weeks. There were a lot of fish.
Okay, I’m ready for another story now. Maybe about some water so I can wash all those fish down.
What? No water? You’re telling me a story about a man who leapt around all day?
He leaped everywhere and couldn’t stop leaping so he asked Jesus to heal him?
I leap around a lot too, but I don’t want Jesus to heal me. Leaping is fun.
Oh. The man didn’t leap, he had leprosy? What kind of a thing is that? It sounds like leaping to me.
***
The man had a really bad skin disease called leprosy. In Jesus’ day people with this disease had to stay far away from other people and if anyone started coming near to them they had to shout, “Unclean, unclean.”
***
Couldn’t they take a bath so they were clean again?
I’m listening.
***
Their disease was what made them unclean. People were afraid to touch them because they were concerned that they might get the disease too.
This man came and knelt before Jesus and said, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.”
Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man.
***
Jesus touched him? I thought you said you couldn’t touch those people because you might get that leaping disease.
I am too listening.
***
Jesus said, “I am willing. Be clean!”
Immediately the leprosy left the man and he was healed.
***
Could that man still leap if he wanted to?
Okay, I’ll listen.
***
Jesus told the man not to tell anyone, but to show himself to the priest. In those days lepers went to the priest when they were healed and the priest was the one who declared them clean.
But the man leaped around and told everyone what Jesus had done for him. Crowds of people came to have Jesus heal them and Jesus often had to withdraw into lonely places in order to pray.
***
Do you think any of those people who came to be healed brought any fish with them?
I know I ate a lot of fish. But I’m going to need some more tomorrow.
bongodogblog 
marina kanavaki
March 10, 2013 at 11:25 am
Somebody get Bongo some fish please!!!!! i can just picture your person reading you those stories while holding a little sardine!!! 🙂
Bongo
March 11, 2013 at 5:19 pm
Sardines! That sounds great. I’m going to bug my person now. She must have some hiding around here somewhere.
Jessica
March 10, 2013 at 1:35 pm
Bongo, your person is a great teacher! You and I are learning a lot every Sunday! 🙂
Bongo
March 11, 2013 at 5:19 pm
Thanks Jessica. We have lots of fun telling the stories.
dogdaz
March 10, 2013 at 4:12 pm
I love how you morph the stories into wonderful bits. I think that leaping lepers are a very interesting way to explain it. Sending loaves and fishes to you (along with manna in the wilderness which is coming up in a few weeks).
Bongo
March 11, 2013 at 5:20 pm
Thanks Dogdaz. I can’t wait for those loaves and fishes.
colliesofthemeadow
March 10, 2013 at 4:56 pm
Ginger says that Jesus needed a dog so when ppl did not obey his commands the dog would bite them to remind them….. hmmm.. the old guy says I am missing the point…. hmmmph! I think the Leper wouldnt have lept if it hadnt been for Jesus…. now where is my fish so I can have some for the next story!
-Ginger
Bongo
March 11, 2013 at 5:22 pm
Ginger, maybe we could herd all those people who don’t obey Jesus into a corral where they wouldn’t have a choice. And then charge them fish for making them obey. I bet we’d be rolling in fish.
eripanwkevin
March 11, 2013 at 6:54 am
Oh no….I wonder why the man who got healed by Jesus told everyone what Jesus had done for him? Why he didn’t listen to what Jesus told him? By the way Bongo, did you share those fish with Scrathcy? Woof? 🙂
Bongo
March 11, 2013 at 5:28 pm
Kevin, most people that Jesus told not to tell did it anyway because they were so excited about what Jesus had done for them. Oh, and I was going to share fish with Scratchy but it’s too hard not to eat it all myself.
angelswhisper2011
March 11, 2013 at 12:50 pm
Bongo, I bring you some fish, if nobody does 🙂
Bongo
March 11, 2013 at 5:38 pm
Thanks Angels Whisper and Little Binky. You’re the best of friends.