WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

Bulletin

Dan Peters
11/28/21 - Repentance

WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

If they broke the immigration law to see you, and would leave your presence still breaking the law, would you still help them?
The Law of Moses
“Command the people of Israel that they put out of the camp everyone who is leprous… ” (Num. 5:2). So most Jews would stay outside the city (2Kings 7:3-4) if they were a leper.
The Leper Broke the Law
“While he was in one of the cities, there came a man full of leprosy. And when he saw Jesus, he fell on his face and begged him, “Lord, if you will, you can make me clean.” (Luke 5:12). He was not outside the city, but “in one of the cities”.
He Disregarded Jesus’ Words After Being Healed
“And Jesus sternly charged him and sent him away at once,
and said to him, “See that you say nothing to anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses commanded, for a proof to them.” 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 1:43-45). By not doing what Jesus said, it made it harder on Jesus’ ministry. He could no longer “openly enter a town” to teach. So people had to come outside the city to see him. Jesus took on the role of being an outcast, outsider, having to stay away from the cities. In a sense, he took this man’s place as an outcast.
Jesus Still Helped this Lawbreaker
“Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand and touched him and said to him, “I will; be clean.” And immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean.” (Mark 1:41-42).
Jesus is amazing here. He helps a guy who disregarded Moses to see Jesus, and he disregards Jesus’ words after being healed. Jesus fully aware of all this, still does good to those who disobey.
I Want a Follow-up Story
I want to hear this man feeling bad for his disobedience. I want to hear about him being filled with regret for making it harder for Jesus. I want to hear him make an apology. But we never hear about this leper again. Am I a modern day leper? Blessed by God, but never returning back to God to thank him, honor him, worship him? Let us turn back to God, apologize, and live faithful to him doing right. He is worthy.
Dan Peters