The Church should replicate Christ’s character of being one with the outcasts and the marginalized. The many who received healing through Jesus in the New Testament are representatives of the people who are marginalized now in the society for various reasons. The blind, the deaf, the lame and the leper were denied freedom to come to the forefront of the society. But Jesus not only healed them but brought them forward societally. Wherever God’s healing is depicted, this ministry of His is also evident.

1.Solidarity with the Marginalized-Godly Character (Esther 4: 1-17)
When Mordecai came to know about Haman’s and the King’s plan to annihilate the Jews, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and ashes, and went out into the city wailing loudly and bitterly. Since no one clothed in sackcloth was allowed to enter the king’s gate, he went only as far as it. In every province in the Kingdom, there was great weeping, wailing and fasting amongst the Jews. Many lay in sackcloth and ashes. Even though Esther sent Mordecai clothes to put on instead of his sackcloth, he refused to accept them. Mordecai, thus, sends Esther a strong word through Hathach- Do not think that because you are in the King’s house you alone of all the Jews will escape. For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to this royal position for such a time as this? Following this all Jews fasted and Esther was allowed to enter the King’s presence. Thus the Jews were delivered from a great disaster that could have befallen them. This message reminds us to stand by and to mediate and fast for the outcasts and the marginalized, even today.

2. Solidarity with the Marginalized- Church’s Duty (Acts 15: 12 – 21)
When Gentiles turned to Jesus, some Jewish Christians of those days took action against them. They made it clear that the Gentiles too should be circumcised and follow the customs of Moses ( Acts 15:1). But Paul, Barnabas and Peter strongly argued against this ( Acts 15: 2-11). This discussion in Jerusalem paved a new way for the duty of the Church. After much deliberation a decision was made. Some were chosen to convey this decision to the churches that were prevalent at the time and send them with Paul and Barnabas to Antioch. Barsabbas and Silas were chosen for this. Gentiles by believing in Jesus will also become Jesus’ disciples was the new norm. Jesus’ gospel helps in being one with the marginalized. That is also the duty of the church.

3. Solidarity with the Marginalized- Jesus’ Ministry (Mark 1: 40 -45)
During Jesus’ time, in the Jewish context, lepers were marginalized both societally and in the religious sphere. But Jesus touched and healed him. “he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor” (Luke 4:18) was Jesus’ declared outlook. When John send his disciples to the Guru with the question ‘are you the one who was to come’, he answered thus, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured… and the good news is preached to the poor” (Matthew 11: 4,5). It was not just to heal them of their disease that Jesus healed them but because they were an aversion to the society, they were oppressed, treated as untouchables and were cursed. The sins of their forefathers were considered to be the reason for their blindness. It is to them that Jesus declared healing. It is not just physical healing but also a societal healing is given to them. They are brought to society’s forefront. The leper who was healed showed himself to the priest- he declared his healing and was brought in to the society. He is also God’s creation and is equal- not somebody to stay outside. Jesus rooted out many rules of ‘fate’ prevalent during those times.