From: February 22, 2025
“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 13:46 ESV).
The Lord gave many types of laws to the Jewish people. These laws might be put in three categories: 1) Moral, 2) Ceremonial and 3) Civil. Moral laws are perpetual, revealing the character of God and showing us how to treat both God and man. Ceremonial laws have to do with the temple worship, holy days, and sacrificial system. Civil laws have the effect of setting the Jews apart as God’s peculiar people.
The laws concerning diseases of the skin seem to fall into the last two categories: ceremonial and civil. The “unclean” condition of one with a skin disease makes them ceremonially unacceptable to take part in corporate worship. And it also makes them a danger to the civil community, as their skin condition may be communicable.
The specificity of these “cleanliness” laws is astounding considering that medical science didn’t understand the invisible agents called germs until the late 19th century discoveries of Louis Pasteur. The cleaning of items that came into contact with the individual, the burning of clothes and bedding, the quarantine of the individual until the course of the disease is determined, these are all huge advancements for that day.
Leprosy in the Old Testament is often seen as a picture of sin. Like leprosy, sin starts small but spreads, defiling every part of a person’s life. The isolation of the leper symbolizes how sin separates us from God and from others (Isaiah 59:2).
When Jesus healed the leper (Luke 5:12-14), He demonstrated His power to cleanse not only physical disease but also the deeper problem of sin. His touch, which should have made Him unclean, instead made the leper clean—just as His sacrifice makes us righteous before God.
PRAYER: Dear Father, thank You for Jesus! His sacrifice and His touch has made us clean before You, so that we can be right with You and know You. We are no longer far off from You, but we have been brought near by faith in Your Son. Thank You! In Jesus’ name, amen.
From: February 22, 2024
“And he marveled because of their unbelief” (Mark 6:6 ESV).
When Jesus began teaching and performing miracles in His hometown of Nazareth, He was amazed at their unbelief. Can you imagine that? That the Son of God “marveled” at the lack of faith He saw in the very neighbors that should have known Him best? Turns out they knew a lot about Him, but they didn’t really know Him.
Those that have grown up going to church and hearing the gospel must be careful to examine their faith. For they are at risk of being like the folks of Nazareth. Although they had known about Jesus for years and claimed him as a neighbor, they still did not place their faith in Him. They didn’t really know Him. Familiarity is not faith.
PRAYER: Dear Father, we have placed our faith in Jesus as Lord and Savior. He has saved us and we are His, as He is ours. He is more than a set of biblical facts to us. He is our faithful Friend. Strengthen us with Your grace and power today. In Jesus’ name, amen.
From: February 22, 2023
“Then Jesus went from village to village, teaching the people. And he called his twelve disciples together and began sending them out two by two, giving them authority to cast out evil spirits. He told them to take nothing for their journey except a walking stick—no food, no traveler’s bag, no money” (Mark 6:6-8 NLT).
Jesus sent His disciples out two-by-two, empowering them to do the ministry they had seen Him doing. They were not to worry about gathering up provisions for the journey, for their needs would be met by those to whom they ministered.
Those who are called into ministry or to go on a mission trip, often learn the most about God’s faithfulness by the way He supplies their needs for the journey. Those who insist on making their own preparations, often never go, or going, never learn of God’s faithful provision.
This spiritual principle is still in effect. Whom the Lord sends, He supplies. Have you learned this spiritual lesson of faith in God’s provision?
PRAYER: Dear Father, we give thanks that those You send, You supply. We ask forgiveness for those times that we doubt Your provision. Yet, we have never gone hungry or homeless for Your sake. We give thanks for Your many blessings on us. Strengthen us for the journey You have called us to walk. In Jesus’ name, amen.
From: February 22, 2016
The Lord gave many types of laws to the Jewish people. These laws might be put in three categories: 1) Moral, 2) Ceremonial and 3) Civil. Moral laws are perpetual, revealing the character of God and showing us how to treat both God and man. Ceremonial laws have to do with the temple worship, holy days, and sacrificial system. Civil laws have the effect of setting the Jews apart as God’s peculiar people. The laws concerning diseases of the skin seem to fall into the last two categories: ceremonial and civil. The “unclean” condition of one with a skin disease makes them ceremonially unacceptable to take part in corporate worship. And it also makes them a danger to the civil community, as their skin condition may be communicable. The specificity of these “cleanliness” laws is astounding considering that medical science didn’t understand the invisible agents called germs until the late 19th century discoveries of Louis Pasteur. The cleaning of items that came into contact with the individual, the burning of clothes and bedding, the quarantine of the individual until the course of the disease is determined, these are all huge advancements for that day.
From: February 22, 2015
When Jesus returned to his hometown of Nazareth with his disciples and preached in the synagogue, the people were offended. It puts to mind the old saying “familiarity breeds contempt,” because since the people of Nazareth had known Jesus and his family since his youth, they doubted his authority. When we become a Christ follower, often the hardest place to begin telling others is in our “own country” among our “own relatives” and especially in our own “house.” These people really know us and often doubt our life change. Yet, this is exactly where we are commanded to begin our witness. For Jesus taught us to begin in “Jerusalem” and then to the “ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8). Have you yet shared the gospel with your own family and hometown?