Leviticus 13:1-2 - And the Lord spoke to Moses and
Aaron, saying: “When a man has on the skin of his body
a swelling, a scab, or a bright spot, and it becomes on the skin of his body like a
leprous sore, then he shall be brought to Aaron the priest or to one of
his sons the priests.
God gave Moses an extensive list of rules to deal with
leprosy. Its sores spread by contact and
made a person so unclean that they must be isolated for the rest of their life.
It did not kill a person’s body…but slowly ate away at it… eating away the skin
and nerves. This incurable disease was one of the worst things to be declared of
a person.
It still exists today…renamed Hanson’s disease in 1873…but
it is easily treatable now. It affects mostly third world countries… a quick
google search said about 6,500 cases worldwide.
It is rare in the United States…our ability to treat it with heavy duty
antibiotics keeping statistics here low.
It must have been horrible to hear those words from the priest
back then…to be declared leprous…to have to leave your family and live in isolation
outside of camp. No wonder they sought out Jesus for healing when news of his
powers began to circulate. They risked
so much just getting close enough to him to even shout their uncleanliness.
Jesus touch of healing did more for them than cure them of
the disease. It showed them how much he
loved them. Jesus’ touch brought restoration to their whole lives…and reconnected
them with their families and friends. What joy they must have felt as they ran
to the priests of their towns to be declared clean.
I know that feeling of joy…even though I have never been
healed of anything so life altering. The day God came into my heart and took up
residence…he cleaned house. My heart is kinda like my house…cobwebs trying to
form in the high corners and ceilings everyday. But if stay connected to him…and listen to him
tell me when the dust and cobwebs are forming… he can help me clean them right
back out of my life.
Father…thank you for the reminder that sin threatens to eat
away at the joy you gave me when we met.
Forgive me for the times that I have let my heart get dusty and dirty.
Help me to do regular housecleaning with prayer and Bible study...so I can keep
my heart healthy and clean for you to live in. Use me to touch others with the love that will teach them about your wonderful saving joy. Amen.
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