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THE LEPER CLEANSED

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THE LEPER CLEANSED

6 minuten leestijd Arcering uitzetten

“Lord, if Thou wilt, Thou canst make me clean.” — Luke 5:12.

A God-sent plague—a fit and striking type of sin’s defiling and destroying power—was Scripture leprosy. A Jewish leper was an “unclean outcast.” As it was a God-sent disease, so its detection and cure were of Him also. By the eye, the hand, and the tongue of God’s priest it was discovered and instrumentally removed. There was no remedy for the leper but by submitting to the God-appointed means—the priest and his work—and, when the great High Priest came, He healed with His word. He spake and it was done.

In viewing this case of leprosy, as descriptive of a convinced sinner, let us—

First, notice the condition of this leper who came to Jesus. He was “full of leprosy.” This defiling plague had extended itself throughout the man. There was no soundness in his flesh. Like his blood, starting from his heart and running in all his veins, was found in every part of the body, so had this leprosy spread until it had filled him. Every part was under its influence. Sad condition! With his head uncovered, his crown of innocence gone; with his garments rent, with his lip covered, silenced by conscious defilement, an outcast of man and a burden to himself, he must dwell alone. He must not enter the temple of God, and he may not remain in the abode of men. He lifts up his eyes to heaven—the answer is, “Thout art guilty.” He turns to man—the reply meets his ears, “Thou art unclean.” He reflects on himself, and concludes, “I shall die in my wretched condition.” He is not fit for company, and unhappy in solitude. Will he try to heal himself? There is neither provision made nor promise given for self help. Wherever he goes he carries his death-spots with him—a mournful spectacle to others, and still more grievous to himself. Thus is every child of Adam defiled by sin.

Secondly, look at what this man’s leprosy did for him. The famine which taught the prodigal son the value of the far off home, and brought him to his father’s house, was a kind providence. To him it was a merciful provision. A Father’s love bids hunger and affliction drive His children home. The leprosy brought this poor wanderer to the great King-Priest. His extremely wretched state caused him to humble himself greatly. His pressing need made him cry earnestly. Precious leprosy, that drives my feet to Jesus, that puts my face in the dust, and calls forth the cry from my heart and lips, “If Thou wilt, Thou canst make me clean!” Look well then to every plague-spot; search for the uprisings of leprosy. Fear not to know thyself, and go show it to thy Priest. Hide nothing from Him. If thou wouldst be clean, thou must be honest with thyself. Know the worst, and show it all to Him who will attend to thy case. No man can know the Lord in His saving power, nor rejoice in His cleansing blood, till the full truth of his lost and guilty state be known and acknowledged by him. Have thy wounds opened. Let there be no healing slightly. See that thy cleansing be according to the Word.

The cleansed leper was blood-marked by the priest on the right hand, the right ear, and the right foot. This was a most striking figure of the cleansing and healing virtue of the blood of Jesus. Have not our hands done many evil and grievous things? We have not always lifted up holy hands in faith and prayer, and taken hold of God; but have grasped many idols, and held fast many sins. Have not our ears admitted many unholy sounds? Have we not listened to that which has defiled the mind and inflamed the evil passions of the heart, while they have been closed to the words of truth and righteousness? Our feet, have they not walked with eager haste the downward road—the path of polluted pleasure and the way of folly?

This man’s leprosy made him a proper object for mercy, and brought him to the merciful High Priest. His condition and his faith are known to the Lord, yet he may and will cry—

“To Thee I come, a sinner poor,
And wait for mercy at Thy door;
Indeed, I’ve nowhere else to flee;
O God, be merciful to me!

“To Thee I come, a sinner vile;
Upon me, Lord, vouchsafe to smile;
Mercy, through blood, I make my plea;
O God, be merciful to me!

“To Thee I come, a sinner great,
And well Thou knowest all my state;
Yet full forgiveness is with Thee;
O God, be merciful to Me!”

Lastly, view the Priest in His office, as His eyes rest upon the poor wretch at His feet. In this picture of misery and suffering He beholds a brother, for He Himself is a “Man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief.” He is “moved with compassion.” He does not delay; He asks no questions. “He put forth His hand and touched him.” The leper had acknowledged the power of Christ. He saw His ability to save him from his leprosy, and said, “Thou canst make me clean.” He appealed to His willingness—”If Thou wilt.” Oh, sweet truth! “His love is as large as His power.” “He put forth His hand,” and testified His power. He opened His mouth and declared His willingness: “I will: be thou clean.” Can any tell the love, the joy, and the praise which filled the soul of this cleansed leper?

Reader, hast thou been to the feet of Jesus? Happy those who take this place, with their face in the dust of self-abasement, and their eyes resting upon His power, while they address His will, hoping in His mercy. Their plague-spot may be an unruly tongue, or an unbending will; and, should it be a froward heart, a lusting eye, or any vile affection, come to this “merciful and faithful High Priest.” Uncover it before Him. He will be touched with thy infirmity. Thou shalt not die of thy plague. Yea, plead thy very infirmity as a reason why He should put forth His hand, and make known in thee His saving power; and thou shalt be blessed in thy deed, and sing—

“Sin works my good, and grace shall win,
Yet ‘tis not good for me to sin;
My greatest pleasure springs from pain,
And losses still increase my gain.”

“He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy” (Prov. 28:13).

Reader, the hand, ear, and foot of the cleansed leper were anointed with the precious oil, as well as marked with the blood. If thou art cleansed, thou art expected to hold fast the truth, hearken to the Word, and walk in he ways of thy Redeemer-God. Thou art consecrated to Him.

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