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ISRAEL THE CHOSEN
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 6
Mark 1:40-45; Matthew 8:2-4; Luke 5:12-15

Numbers 5:1-4

 

Only one said,

“Thank you, Lord.”

 

ISRAEL THE CHOSEN
 
Leprosy is a complaint of which we know little. In Bible lands it is far more common. It is a radical disease of the whole man, attacking not merely the skin but the blood, the flesh, the bones until the unhappy patient begins to rot. Amongst the Jews, the leper was reckoned unclean and was cut off from the congregation of Israel and the ordinances of religion. He was obliged to dwell in a separate house. None might touch him or minister to him. What remarkable wretchedness belonged to the leprous person!
 
There is something like leprosy in us. There is a foul sin disease which is ingrained into our very natures and cleaves to our bones and marrows with deadly force. That disease is the plague of sin. Like leprosy it is a deep-seated disease, infecting every part of our natures: our heart, will, conscience, understanding, memory and affections. Like leprosy it makes us loathsome and abominable, unfit for the company of God and the glory of heaven. But far worse than leprosy, it is a disease from which no mortal is exempt (Isa 64:6).
 
Our Lord is able and willing to heal those in need (Mark 1:41-42). Our Lord responded to the leper’s request (Mark 1:40-41) and made him well. At once the cure was effected (Mark 1:41-42). That very instant the deadly plague departed from the poor sufferer and he was healed. It was but a word, and a touch, and there stood before the Lord not a leper, but a sound and healthy man.
 
Who can conceive the greatness of the change in the feelings of this leper when he found himself healed? The morning sun rose upon him, a miserable being more dead than alive, a mass of sores and corruption. The evening sun saw him full of hope and joy, free from pain and fit for society. So with spiritual leprosy. No heart disease is so deep-seated, but He is able to cure it. No plague of soul is so virulent, but our Great Physician can heal it.
 
THOUGHT: Christ is willing to save. Sinners are not willing to go to Him for salvation (Matt 23:37; John 5:40).

PRAYER: Father, cleanse me of my spiritual leprosy by Jesus’ blood.

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