Just a Minute!

Repel

“…there was a leper…” Matthew 8:2 (WEB)

Look at the sub-title of today’s devotional.

Do you see another word in the title?

Leper.

Repel. A fitting one-word description of the life of a leper. They were essentially banished from their family and all of society.

Alone

What repels you? What does it take to turn your stomach upside down?

If you were a devout Hebrew, you may have felt fear or disgust in the presence of a leper.

So, let’s look at the definitions of the word “repel.”

To be repelled is more than just an aversion to something disgusting; it means to be pushed back by another’s will or influence, rejected with disdain.

Lepers in Christ’s time were repelled in every sense of the word.

The Pharisees believed sin caused leprosy. Sound familiar? Some still judge this way today.

Lepers died alone or surrounded by other lepers.

But Jesus…

… great multitudes followed him…a leper came to him and worshiped him, saying, “Lord, if you want to, you can make me clean.”

Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, “I want to. Be made clean.”

 Immediately his leprosy was cleansed.

Matthew 8:2-3 (WEB)

Jesus loved him and touched him, which made Jesus unclean to the Hebrews.

Surely, he has borne our sickness
    and carried our suffering…Isaiah 53:4 (WEB)

Jesus healed the leper by touching him and proved that He welcomed sinners despite their infirmities or sins.

World English Bible (WEB)

by Public Domain. The name “World English Bible” is trademarked.