The Sin of Leprosy

We write to you about a loathsome disease known for thousands of years as leprosy, but also known today as Hansen’s disease, being named after the scientist who did much research on it.

Leprosy is a contagious, chronic disease, starting on the skin, working itself into the flesh and finally penetrating the bones. It usually first affects the face, hands or feet, eventually covering the whole body. As the disease progresses and penetrates deeper, it gradually weakens the body, making the person unable to care for themselves. Both skin and flesh are consumed, leaving the afflicted person’s appearance loathsome to behold.

According to the Mosaic Law as recorded in the 13^th and 14^th chapters of Leviticus, new lepers were immediately isolated and separated from the rest of the people. They were forbidden to marry healthy people. When a person was found to have leprosy by the priest, he had to leave his wife, children, relatives, and friends and was not allowed to continue in his trade or business. Most lepers lived together with others of their kind. They were not allowed to live in the cities and towns, but lived in caves or huts that they built for themselves. When approached by other people, they were required to shout out a warning: “Unclean! Unclean!” Lepers were considered to be the living dead. An example of this is found in 2 Chron. 26:21: ”King Uzziah was a leper until the day of his death. He dwelt in an isolated house, because he was a leper; for he was cut off from the house of the LORD. Then Jotham his son was over the king's house, judging the people of the land.”

Leprosy became a symbol of sin to the Jewish people. The sinner would be shunned by the people, as in the case of the adulterous woman who came to Jesus, washed His feet with her tears, and wiped them with her hair. Any such sinner would be treated much as a leper would be treated. To have contact with unrepentant sinners they felt would bring contamination upon you.

Let us now consider the case of the ten lepers recorded in Luke 17:12-19. At the time of our Lord’s first advent, Palestine west of the Jordan River was divided into three regions: Judea in the south; Samaria in the center; and Galilee in the north. The more prominent Jews lived in Judah. Jerusalem and the Temple were there and it was considered the center of learning. Those dwelling in Judah looked down on those of Galilee and had a hatred for the Samaritans. Many Jews who had to go to Galilee would not pass through Samaria. They would go out of their way by crossing the Jordan River and traveling up its east side until they could cross back over into Galilee. This would explain the surprise of the Samaritan woman at the well when Jesus asked her to give Him a drink. Jesus did not mind traveling among the Samaritans, in fact, because of His kindness and the way He spoke to them, many believed on Him.

It is believed that Jesus came across the ten lepers while traveling through Samaria. These lepers apparently lived together as a group or colony, sharing their misery and loneliness with each other. Without question, rumors had reached them about one called Jesus who was preaching good tidings of a kingdom to the people and healing all kinds of diseases, including leprosy. How they wished for an opportunity to see Him to ask for His healing! He was the only hope they had of ever being cured. They might have grasped at the wonderful prospect of being able to return to their families and friends and once again live normal lives.

Unexpectedly, Jesus came walking through their village on the way to Jerusalem. The ten lepers saw Him from afar, and somehow knew this was Jesus about whom they had heard. They could not let this wonderful opportunity pass by them. If ever they were to have a chance to be free of their horrible disease, it must be now. They went out to meet Him and as He came nearer, they pleaded, crying out loudly in unison, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.” Jesus’ heart was deeply touched with their plight. Compassion and love filled His whole being, and it had to express itself on their behalf. Jesus did not heal them on the spot, though He could have. He simply said, “Go show yourselves to the priests.” It was a test of faith. Would they be obedient? Fortunately, they all did what Jesus told them to do and as they began walking on their way to the priests, a marvelous miracle occurred. Their flesh was returning, and their skin was healing. Their health was being restored and strength was returned to their bodies. Jesus had healed them! What excitement and joy must have filled their hearts! What happens next is sad to read. Only one of those healed came back to where Jesus was and, falling on his face, gave thanks. Jesus wondered aloud, “Where are the other nine?” And this man who returned was – a Samaritan. The other nine were Jews and yet only the Samaritan, prompted by a bursting

heart overflowing with gratitude, thought to return and give thanks.

The Lord surely must have appreciated his gratitude. You remember the parable of the “Good Samaritan” and how the others in the story, who were Jews, came upon the beaten man, and were found so lacking in compassion. Once again, it was the hated Samaritan that showed the proper condition of heart by his action in giving thanks.

Sin has many strains that can contaminate us. It can render us spiritual lepers and as surely as physical leprosy can have a devastating effect, we can be disastrously affected. What lesson can we learn from the nine lepers? What was their sin? It was the sin of ingratitude. They did not return to thank the Lord for giving them back their lives. They were too caught up in self and what they would now be able to do. When our prayers are answered, do we acknowledge it with thanksgiving and gratitude? Let us keep in mind the lesson the ten lepers teaches. May we be like the Samaritan who returned to give thanks and never take our blessings for granted by showing the sin of ingratitude.

Gaetano Boccaccio

Gratitude

Gratitude consists in a watchful, minute attention to the particulars of our state, and to the multitude of God’s gifts, taken one by one. It fills us with a consciousness that God loves and cares for us, even to the least event and the smallest need in life. It is a blessed thought that from childhood God has been laying His Fatherly Hands upon us, and always in benediction; that even the strokes of His Hands are blessings, and among the best we have ever received. When this feeling is awakened, the heart beats with a pulse of thankfulness. Every gift has its return of praise. It awakens an increasing daily converse with our Father. He speaking to us by the descent of blessings, we to Him by the ascent of thanksgiving, while all our whole life is thereby drawn under the light of His Countenance, and is filled with a gladness, serenity, and peace which only thankful hearts can know. ~ Selected ~

“The very constancy of God’s blessings sometimes seems to kill our gratitude, whereas the wonderful thing about the mercies of God is that they are fresh every morning and new every evening.”

~ Selected ~