Cleansed From Sin

A single spot was enough. Mosaic Law stated that even a small spot of leprosy made a person ceremonially unclean. Life as a leper, in biblical days, was a living hell. Leprosy was an incurable disease. Visually, it left people unrecognizable because of how cruelly it disfigured them. Lepers faced social isolation and discrimination. They were untouchable and unlovable, unworthy of attention or care.

But not to Jesus.

All the Gospels, except John, record the healing of a particular leper by Jesus. Luke mentions that this man was “covered with leprosy”. We can only imagine how repulsed and disgusted the crowd must have been when this man approached Jesus. Having nothing to lose, and probably as his last resort, the leper threw himself at Jesus’ feet. The leper displayed great courage and faith when he ventured into a crowd, seeking Jesus out. He believed that if Jesus was willing, He had the power to heal his infirmity. Moved with compassion, Jesus reached out and touched him, declaring him clean.

Only Jesus could have touched a leper without Himself becoming unclean. He was the spotless Lamb of God who had come to deliver humanity from the cruel effects of sin.

Like leprosy, sin is an incurable disease that deforms us. But we are never too damaged for Jesus to restore us. His limitless compassion and love move Him to reach out to the worst of sinners, take them by the hand, and give them a new life. His touch is altogether loving, gracious, powerful, and cleansing. Jesus declares clean anyone who cries out to Him and believes. The worst offenders. The vilest criminals. Even those “covered with sins”.

Respond

• In what way has the understanding of the severity of sin affected the way you worship Jesus?
• When was the last time your compassion for an unbeliever moved you to tell them about Jesus?