One day Jesus was in a leper’s house in Bethany. Now, a Pharisee would not be caught dead in a leper’s house because contact with those kinds of people would render him “unclean”. How do you suppose this attitude would effect an “evangelistic” ministry of the Pharisees?
Thank You, Jesus, for receiving sinners! After all, in God’s eyes we all fall short of His glory. None of us are that “good person” we think we are. To deny that we are sinners is self-deception.
Every person born of a woman is likened to a straying sheep. Our flesh is weak, and of itself contains not one good thing in it. Oh how we need to be cleansed “from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit”! The “leprosy” that defiles every person is sin. Sin itself is not a disease, although sin may indeed cause disease. For example, sex outside of marriage is not abnormal hormonal behavior; it’s sin, which often brings sexually-transmitted diseases as a consequence. Nor is alcoholism a disease, for its root is the sin of drunkenness.
Most current psychologists would label the works of the flesh as “dysfunctions” instead of sin. In other words, the prevailing thought is that you are not really born “dead in trespasses and sins”, but are really a good person who happens to be the unfortunate victim or inheritor of various dysfunctions – anger disorders, sexual disorders, eating disorders, etc. IF that were true, then the Bible is a joke! You don’t need a Savior; you need a pharmacist. I wonder how many of God’s children are being duped by all the psychological propaganda that reduces the peace of God to a pill.
Now, there are legitimate physical, biological, and chemical malfunctions and deficiencies that require the God-given wisdom of medical intervention. After all, Luke “the beloved physician” traveled and ministered alongside Paul. However, many saints are looking for an easier way out than the cross. Fiery darts of family pressure, dwindling finances, poor health, etc., have driven many saints to a couch instead of to Christ. “The LORD is my Shepherd” is the language of the saint. After all, Jesus has been delivering “lepers” like you and me since the dawn of time. Does He not offer peace? Does He not offer strength? Does He not grant daily mercies? Does He not offer us eternal assurance? Does He not promise His constant presence?
Jesus still visits lepers’ homes (people) and leper colonies (churches). All we need to do to benefit from Him is to admit our leprosy, and cast our cares upon Him. He’ll do all the rest.
