As long as the sore is on him he shall declare himself unclean,
since he is in fact unclean.
He shall dwell apart, making his abode outside the camp.
Jesus has compassion on the suffering. He is moved with pity for those who are driven apart from community by physical, mental, and spiritual challenges.
A leper came to Jesus and kneeling down begged him and said,
"If you wish, you can make me clean."
Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand,
touched him, and said to him,
"I do will it. Be made clean."
The leprosy left him immediately, and he was made clean.
Then, warning him sternly, he dismissed him at once.
Jesus heals this leper as a sign of the greater work he accomplishes on the cross. He heals the sin sick condition of our hearts that keeps us from entering his eternal kingdom. He sees us cutoff from true life, decaying, and dying, and he refuses to leave us there. He is so full of compassion that we can trust him. We can be confident in his power. We can reach out to him for the healing we desire trusting that Jesus will give us what we need.
Whatever afflicts us, physical or spiritual, let us bring it to Jesus. Let us, in humility, extend it toward him, exposing ourselves, yet trusting in mercy. Right now we probably can't say with Paul, "I try to please everyone in every way, not seeking my own benefit but that of many, that they may be saved." And we probably cringe even hearing about it, so self-willed are we. This is our deepest leprosy. It is a condition from which Jesus delights to heal us.
Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.
We can't do it without the healing hand of Jesus. But he does not ration his gift of the Spirit (see John 3:32). So let us turn to him with great confidence in times of trouble so that we can experience the joy of salvation. We experience not just the success of doing good deeds when we'd rather do something else, but the full joy of salvation that hand of Jesus brings.
Be glad in the LORD and rejoice, you just;
exult, all you upright of heart.
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