The Author of Love

Modern Day Leper

September 4

“A man with leprosy came to him and begged him on his knees, ‘If you are willing,’ he said ‘you can make me clean.’  Filled with compassion, Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man.’  ‘I am willing,’ he said, ‘Be clean!’  Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cured.’”  Mark 1:  40-42

The term leprosy comes from the Greek lepra.  During Christ’s day, anyone with leprosy was an outcast.  Lepers were not to mingle with society they were given “restraining orders” to stay at a distance when coming near other people.  In fact they were to shout warning to other people “Unclean!”  Society had a stigma on lepers that continues with people with contagious diseases.  In particular AIDS, Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome is an incurable disease that plagues our society today.  Although we do not require those with AIDS to shout unclean when they come near us, we are still cautious and careful whenever we are near one or know of one.  Though the symptoms of a leper can be noticeable physically, the symptoms of a person with HIV can be hidden and unnoticeable, especially before it progresses (if it does) to full-blown AIDS.

Jesus had compassion on the man who begged Him to heal him.  Jesus not only had compassion, but He touched him and healed him.  Remember that during Christ time, touching a leper meant you, too, became unclean.  You may have exposed yourself to the disease.  Unlike leprosy, which could be communicated by touch, HIV does not pass easily from one person to another.  Still, most people are uneasy even touching someone with HIV.  True, health-care worker wear protective masks and gloves when caring for late-stage AIDS patients, but it is primarily to protect the patient and themselves.  How should you treat a person with HIV?  Just look at Jesus, He touched the leper.  Can you touch a person with AIDS?  Better yet, can you have compassion on them?  One of the worst things you can do to another person is to shun them and reject them.  Worst than rejections is to ignore them and pretend they don’t exist.   

The deeper truth of the modern day leper is we all have AIDS (Acquired Individual Disease of Sin).  We are all sinners and in need of Jesus to heal us.  Thank God the deeper disease of sin is curable.  Unlike HIV which is blood-borne, AIDS required the shedding of blood for the cure.  Jesus shed his blood so we may never be shunned or ignored ever again.  We do not have to be ashamed of AIDS because God has redeemed us from this dreadful and horrible disease of sin.  We will never have to shout unclean because God has cleansed us through his own blood.  What a loving and merciful God we have.  When you are tempted to shun someone with HIV or AIDS, remember we are covered with the invisible sores of our own disease. 

No one is exempted from the sins of this world.  We are all in the same boat.  But Jesus had much compassion for us.  You do not need to beg him to heal you.  God has already healed your “unclean” life past, present and future.  Today’s mental health professionals recommend surrounding yourself with positive people and avoiding those who can bring you down.  That may be sound advice.  Jesus says to have compassion for the leper.  Jesus would have compassion for the AIDS person as well, or the outcast and despised by our society today.  The Author of Love has compassion for you too, the sinner.  He is willing to touch you and heal you from all the diseases or prejudices you may be carrying, even AIDS.
The Author of Love                                             

Happy New Year God 

January 1

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”  Genesis 1:  1

Good day and Happy New Year.  How was your new year’s eve?  Did you celebrate with friends or were you fast asleep before midnight?  It’s another new year.  Are you ready to tackle another list of resolutions?  How did you fare from last year’s list?  The ancient Hebrew calendar began in the spring, with Passover on the 10th day of the first month.  A millennia later the Babylonian month names were adopted while in exile.  Then the Romans named the months after their gods-names we still use today.  The first month was named after Janus, a mythical king of early Rome.  Janus was the god of beginnings and the guardian of doors and entrances.  In essence this means two-faced.  Janus was depicted with two faces, one in the front and one in the back.  Janus thus became the symbol for resolutions.

 Each year newspapers across the land suggest new-year resolutions.  One in particular was the “Desert Sun.”  In their “Today” section the author recommended 10 resolutions; 1).  Get along-Reduce your stress levels.  If there are things that overwhelm you, get away or delegate.  2). Get connected-Make time for family and friends.  Build your relationships.  3). Get away-Preferably a cruise or vacation.  4). Get-Fit-Exercise is great for physical and mental well being.  5). Get involved-Volunteer in your church, school or community.  6). Get a job-Re-examine your career and perform a comprehensive assessment.  7). Get organized-Put everything in place and stop wasting time with TV.  8). Get rich-Invest now and cash in later.  Do your homework and consider your rate of return.  In today’s economy this can be challenging.  9). Get rid of vices-End harmful habits.  Be sure you know the true reasons you want to change.  10). Get smart-Boost your brain power.  Do anything to help the mind exercise.