I Am A Leper

And behold, a leper came to him and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, if you will, you can make me clean.” Matthew 8:2 (ESV)

These words were unusual to hear from the mouths of a leper. Because according to the Mosaic Law, “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 (ESV)

But this leper instead of shouting ‘I am unclean’, implores Jesus to make him clean. We can learn quite a lot of lessons from this incident and apply them to our lives.

May be we are not lepers physically, but have leprous hearts, that is, unclean hearts. Though our hearts are unclean, on the contrary we claim that we are clean. We not only claim, we shout and say to the world that ‘nothing is wrong in me’. In those days a leper was supposed to live outside the camp, that is not with people. But these days though our hearts are leprous, we not only live among others, we try to boast ourselves by our associations that we have with those respected in the society and in the church.

What makes us unclean?

The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil. Matthew 12:35 (ESV)

But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person. For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander. These are what defile a person. But to eat with unwashed hands does not defile anyone. Matthew 15:18-20 (ESV)

The lepers in the Old Testament times were detested by others in the society and they were forbidden from entering the villages and cities. If alone people would see how perverse and wicked our thoughts are, will we receive the same welcome and respect?

Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. Luke 12:2 (ESV)

If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:8-9 (ESV)

We need to ask two questions to ourselves:

How is my heart today?

Am I desperate to become clean in my heart?

If we constantly check our hearts like David,

“Search me, O God, and know my heart!
Try me and know my thoughts!
And see if there be any grievous way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting!” Psalm 139:23-24 (ESV)

we will become after God’s own heart. 1 Samuel 13:14 (ESV)

Jesus is willing to cleans us even today and right now! “And Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, “I will; be clean.” And immediately his leprosy was cleansed.” Matthew 8:3 (ESV)

After healing the leper Jesus told the leper to show himself to the priest and offer the gift that Moses commanded. Because in the Old Testament times the priests were the ones who were to certify whether a person is clean or unclean and the Law commanded certain others things too.

And the priest who cleanses him shall set the man who is to be cleansed and these things before the Lord, at the entrance of the tent of meeting. Leviticus 14:11 (ESV)  The priest shall take some of the blood of the guilt offering, and the priest shall put it on the lobe of the right ear of him who is to be cleansed and on the thumb of his right hand and on the big toe of his right foot. Leviticus 14:14 (ESV) And the rest of the oil that is in the priest's hand he shall put on the head of him who is to be cleansed. Then the priest shall make atonement for him before the Lord. Leviticus 14:18 (ESV) And the priest shall put some of the oil that is in his hand on the lobe of the right ear of him who is to be cleansed and on the thumb of his right hand and on the big toe of his right foot, in the place where the blood of the guilt offering was put. And the rest of the oil that is in the priest's hand he shall put on the head of him who is to be cleansed, to make atonement for him before the Lord. Leviticus 14:28-29 (ESV)

The leper was presented by the priest before the Lord and the blood of the guilt offering was sprinkled & the oil put on the ear, thumb, toe and on the head of the leper, to make atonement for him.

We have a High Priest – Jesus Christ,

“he entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption. For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the sprinkling of defiled persons with the ashes of a heifer, sanctify for the purification of the flesh, how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God?” Hebrews 9:12-14 (ESV)

Also we do not require the oil, because we have the Immanuel (meaning ‘God with us’) living within us, who is the Christ, this word being derived from the Hebrew word ‘Messiah’ which means literally ‘covered in oil’.

The Bible too asks us a question:

Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you? If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him. For God's temple is holy, and you are that temple. 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 (ESV)

Let us check our hearts today and seek Christ to cleanse us!

In Mark we read that Jesus told this leper not to say anything to anyone. “But he went out and began to talk freely about it, and to spread the news, so that Jesus could no longer openly enter a town, but was out in desolate places, and people were coming to him from every quarter. Mark 1:45 (ESV)

A person who is cleansed inside cannot keep the good news inside! May the spirit of this leper grasp us too!

Desperate hearts, dying for Jesus,

Clean hearts, cleaving onto Jesus;

Cleansed hearts, calling people unto Jesus.

The Narrow Gate

There used to be a small gate just in front of my school. Always I wondered what could be behind that gate. But never had I went into that gate, for fear of being caught by someone for sneaking into it and for fear of what might be behind that gate. In the morning while going to school, during breaks, in the evening while leaving the school and whenever I crossed by that side, I looked at it. It wasn’t a magnificent one rather an old rusty gate, but somehow it always caught my attention. The imaginary stories and speculations that my classmates used to share about all that probably was behind that gate, added more fire to the flame of my curiosity. None of my friends had also entered through that. And since I was also a very timid kid, that too kept me from exploring that gate, even though I studied in that same school from grade one to twelve. I was comfortable walking in and out of the big gate of our school along with other kids, unnoticed!

One day I saw a big man going into that gate; only then did I notice that he had the key to that gate. I had always thought that after I grew up I would be able to venture into it. Only then did I realize that even though after growing up I will not be able to enter it since I did not have the key to that gate! But sometime later, probably when I was in my tenth grade, that gate was gone! It was removed and the wall was completely sealed, preventing any entry. And I had missed the opportunity forever. I regretted that I will never be able to find out what lied behind that gate!

This is true with many of us in respect to our faith in God. We hear the call of God from Churches or prayer meetings or in the television or radio or in the internet. But many a times we fail to respond, to make a decision. Either we are fearful of people’s opinion or are intimidated or overwhelmed or prejudiced hearing the speculations of our friends and relatives about the Christian faith. Many a times we hesitate to enter that narrow and small gate, for fear – fear of people’s opinions and criticisms. Though we are curious about it, we are comfortable going along with others into wider and big gates. Because choosing to go into that narrow gate might exclude us from many. For those of us who have been living always with the I-should-not-be-noticed sense, it becomes even more difficult.

Prejudices pushes us into out-rightly shunning that narrow gate.

Jesus invites, “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.” (Matthew 7:13,14)

Narrower is the gate to life because, the gospel is exclusive – Jesus Christ is the way, the truth and the life. (John 14:6 ); Jesus Christ alone died for the sins of all people and rose again. (Matthew 20:17-19 (ESV), Matthew 27:62-66 (ESV) ); Jesus Christ alone forgives the sins of people (Matthew 9:2 (ESV); Luke 7:47-48 (ESV)).

So, the gate to life does not give much options to the seeker or rather no option at all.

This narrow gate does not promise a trouble-free life, but a triumphant life, by trusting in Jesus. It does not propagate a wealthy living, but a worthy living, by being washed in the blood of Jesus. It does not promote a famous career or future, but a fruitful future, by faith in Jesus. It does not propound a healthy body, but a holy body & soul, by heeding daily to His Word, the Bible.

I (Jesus Christ) am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.John 10:9-11 (ESV)

Which way do you go? Crossroads are before,
It’s time for you now to make your choice;

You can’t really say yea I’ll make it later on,
Tomorrow is uncertain, So keep movin’ On

Narrow is the way leading straight to home,

But you’ll never reach If you take broadway;

Broadway yes it’ll take you far from your destination

Narrow leads to life

(Song by: Isaac Joe)

Familiarity breeds contempt or familiarity brings forth change?

For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea. Habakkuk 2:14 (ESV)

 

 

We are living in a time of fulfilment of this prophecy of Habakkuk. With the increase in the means of communication, there is an increase in the spread of God’s Word throughout the world. 24 hours a day television channels & radio stations & internet sites broadcast messages from the Bible. Magazines, newspapers, posters, etc. carrying the messages of the Bible are printed & circulated in abundance. And as always Bible is the most printed and the most translated book in the world.

Christian materials and programs are produced and disseminated for all age groups - catering from adolescents to adults; in all forms - cartoons to chat shows. We are constantly exposed to the Word of God. But still the Bible cautions us saying that when the earth in filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, there is a possibility that, “You are filled with shame instead of glory.”  (Habakkuk 2:16a)

In the 2nd chapter of Habakkuk the prophet stipulates the characteristics of a man who is filled with shame instead of glory:

• He is proud
• He enlarges his desire
• He is not satisfied and contented
• He gathers & heaps up everything for himself
• He increases what is not his
• He covets evil gain for his house
• He gives shameful counsel
• He sins against his soul
• He destroys other people’s reputation

[Reference - Habakkuk 2:4-17]

To summarise – he is a self-centred person and a one who does not analyse his life with God’s Word.

We need to constantly check our lives and should not take any opportunity light when God’s Word is ministered  to us in any form and through any person. And use every opportunity to check ourselves and internalize the truth. As the Bible says, “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” James 1:22 (ESV)

We might be listening to messages from our childhood; from Sunday Schools to Student Camps to Seminars. We might have been in the pew or at the pulpit. If we fail to heed to what we hear and live accordingly, the prophet Habakkuk says “utter shame will be on your glory” (Hab 2:16c). This word cautions us to not be lethargic and immune to exhortations from God’s Word. We need to be always sensitive to the ministry of the Scriptures by the saints and the Spirit.

The adage “Familiarity breeds contempt” could become true to our situation of constant exposure to the Bible scriptures & messages, if we fail to internalize the truths of the Bible that we are exposed to. That is why David says, “How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word. Psalm 119:9 (ESV)The NKJV says “By taking heed according to Your word; not by just listening – but by taking heed.

“What use is deeper knowledge if we have shallower hearts?” – Leonard Ravenhill in his book ‘Why Revival Tarries?”

Let our senses always seek God’s word;

Let our thoughts always think over God’s word;

Let our hearts always heed to God’s word;

Let our lives always live God’s word.

Let familiarity to God’s word not breed contempt, rather familiarity to God’s word may bring forth constant change in us!

Give up to Give in

What would we do, if we are in a situation, where to save our face, we have to expose others? Would we not try to justify us? This happens everyday in our life, with our spouses, our children, our parents, our friends, our relatives, our colleagues, our superiors, etc. Because it is the natural outcome of our character and it is the instant impulsive expression of every man and woman.

But Joseph was different. He comes to know, that the woman who was betrothed to him, is conceived with a child and he could only understand that probably she would have had an affair. Marriages in the East are a public affair. Every one in his village and all his relatives and friends living elsewhere would have known about their betrothal. But still he chose not to put her to shame.

“And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly.” Matthew 1:19 (ESV)

If we were in such a situation, where our name & fame could be tainted because of someone, what would be the course of action that we would choose to take? Will we be concerned enough to safeguard the other person? Can we keep all that happened, which only we alone are aware of, a secret or will we blow the whistle so as to save us?

The decision that Joseph made was a wise and a righteous decision. But still he was willing to change his decision, which could cost his reputation dearly.

But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” Matthew 1:20-21 (ESV). When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife. Matthew 1:24 (ESV)

Will we be willing to change our plans, even good plans, when we come in terms with God’s plans? Are we open enough to give in to God’s plans and give up our dreams, to fulfil God’s desires?

If we carefully consider the dream, none of the prophecy is concerned about Joseph’s future. It was all about Mary and Jesus. But he still obeyed.

We do like to have dreams and visions and would love to hear prophecies and receive promises; but do we not desire that at least a small portion of it should be concerning our future? But here is a man who has a dream and hears a prophecy and receives a promise, which is not of his future; but in contrary that might ruin his life, but still chooses to obey God.

Takes home a woman as his wife, who is conceived not with his child;

Christens the child, not born of him;

Obeys the prophecy, not concerned his future.

“All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:” Matthew 1:22 (ESV)

It took 750 years after Micah prophesied the birth of the Messiah, for it to get fulfilled. The Lord was looking for a man who will give up his plans and his decisions, for God. Even now God has many plans concerning every country and continent; He is still looking for one man, one woman who is willing to give up all his or her dreams, for God!

Let us give up our’s and give in to God’s!