Shout It To The Heavens: No More Spiritual Leprosy/Ebola
America has been struck with
fears concerning the Ebola virus. Not
long ago, a man from West Africa did not declare that he had come into contact
with a woman who had a confirmed case of Ebola.
Because of his actions some people are, in this country, at risk in contracting
the disease. Sadly, this gentleman
succumbed to the deadly disease and others, with whom he had inadvertently
contacted, are being watched for possible contamination. The disease of leprosy, according to God’s
law, demanded a heightened sense of awareness and protection as well (Leviticus 13-14).
Leprosy wasn’t highly contagious but it was such a health hazard that it was important to contain it. [1] The book of Leviticus teaches when a person, who has leprous signs, is considered clean (safe) or unclean (contagious).[2] But a leprous person, who was concerned about others welfare and being obedient with God’s commands, made sure they didn’t spread it to others. “The leprous person who has the disease shall wear torn clothes and let the hair of his head hang loose, and he shall cover his upper lip and cry out, ‘Unclean, unclean’. He shall remain unclean as long as he has the disease. He is unclean. He shall live alone. His dwelling shall be outside the camp” (Leviticus 13:45-46). The community as a whole knew that it was important to think of others (cf. 2 Kings 7:8-9).
Why don’t people think of others when it comes to their spiritual disease – sin? Sadly, the reality is that most people don’t know they need a physician (Matthew 9:11-13). They don’t realize or desire to be healed (Acts 28:25-30). They don’t understand that their sinful spiritual life is an infectious disease to others with whom they come in contact (Matthew 18:6; 1 Corinthians 8; 2 Peter 2; James 1:15). Yet, people who follow Christ recognize truly what it means to be saved - we are saved from our spiritual leprosy (John 6:54-58; Ephesians 1:7; 1 John 1:7; Revelation 1:5). Our illness of sin, which we should cry out to others “unclean, unclean”, has been cleansed and taken care of through Christ’s blood (Hebrews 13:12). It is Jesus who died and is resurrected. He died for our sins and then took it (and its penalty) away from us (Galatian 3:13-14; cf. Leviticus 14:4-7). If you are saved from your spiritual leprosy then shout it to the heavens so all people know that you are healed by Jesus Christ.
John A. Reeves
www.thelordshumbled.com
[1] Wikipedia, “Leprosy”
[2] Examples of leprosy; Exodus 4:6; Numbers 12:10; 2 Kings 5, 7:8; 2 Chronicles 26:19 Matthew 8:2-3, 10:8, 26:6; Luke 4:27, 17:12
Leprosy wasn’t highly contagious but it was such a health hazard that it was important to contain it. [1] The book of Leviticus teaches when a person, who has leprous signs, is considered clean (safe) or unclean (contagious).[2] But a leprous person, who was concerned about others welfare and being obedient with God’s commands, made sure they didn’t spread it to others. “The leprous person who has the disease shall wear torn clothes and let the hair of his head hang loose, and he shall cover his upper lip and cry out, ‘Unclean, unclean’. He shall remain unclean as long as he has the disease. He is unclean. He shall live alone. His dwelling shall be outside the camp” (Leviticus 13:45-46). The community as a whole knew that it was important to think of others (cf. 2 Kings 7:8-9).
Why don’t people think of others when it comes to their spiritual disease – sin? Sadly, the reality is that most people don’t know they need a physician (Matthew 9:11-13). They don’t realize or desire to be healed (Acts 28:25-30). They don’t understand that their sinful spiritual life is an infectious disease to others with whom they come in contact (Matthew 18:6; 1 Corinthians 8; 2 Peter 2; James 1:15). Yet, people who follow Christ recognize truly what it means to be saved - we are saved from our spiritual leprosy (John 6:54-58; Ephesians 1:7; 1 John 1:7; Revelation 1:5). Our illness of sin, which we should cry out to others “unclean, unclean”, has been cleansed and taken care of through Christ’s blood (Hebrews 13:12). It is Jesus who died and is resurrected. He died for our sins and then took it (and its penalty) away from us (Galatian 3:13-14; cf. Leviticus 14:4-7). If you are saved from your spiritual leprosy then shout it to the heavens so all people know that you are healed by Jesus Christ.
John A. Reeves
www.thelordshumbled.com
[1] Wikipedia, “Leprosy”
[2] Examples of leprosy; Exodus 4:6; Numbers 12:10; 2 Kings 5, 7:8; 2 Chronicles 26:19 Matthew 8:2-3, 10:8, 26:6; Luke 4:27, 17:12
