LEPROSY in Scripture is invariably a type of sin. Medical men affirm that it is a disease which no one can unwittingly contract, though if the spots break out under the clothes it may for a time be screened from others. There are some illnesses common to man which are less easy to determine, and which may remain doubtful in character for an indefinite period of time; but this is never the case with leprosy, and God uses it as a type of sin.
We all know that we are sinners, our consciences tell us so, and yet how often do we hear people say, “I have never done any one any harm,” or, “I am not so bad as other men!” God has no remedy for such, and their proud thoughts are an abomination to Him. “Every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.” But for all who own their sinful condition God has provided salvation. “The blood of Jesus Christ, His Son, cleanseth us from all sin.” “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.”
A Christian took some tracts with her as she started on a journey, looking to God to guide her in their distribution. Finding herself in a compartment with only one fellow-traveler, she offered her one. “What is it?” said the lady, impatiently, taking it in her hand. “Oh, a tract! I do not need it, thank you: give it to that man who has just passed through; he needs it more than I.” But she glanced at the contents, and added, as she took up her newspaper, “Oh, I know all about it.” A minute later she passed it to the conductor as he returned, who accepted it gratefully.
This poor lady affected ignorance as to her leprous condition, and there are multitudes of people like her in the world seeking to hide their spots under a garb of respectability; but they cannot screen their real state from God, and He desires truth in the inward parts.
The Gospels make mention of many recognized ills and maladies which Jesus cured—the blind, the lame, the deaf, the dumb, lepers, lunatics, people who were sick of fever, those which were possessed with devils, and those which had the palsy. None of these so afflicted could have denied their ills, and they represent sinners who know themselves to be such, and that they need a Saviour. God is a God “ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness.” He welcomes all those who call upon Him in truth, and who, like the Publican, cry, “God be merciful to me a sinner.”
The lady in the train did not admit her need of a Saviour. She was like the Pharisee who said, “God, I thank Thee that I am not as other men.” She thought to hide her spots of leprosy under her garments of pride and self-righteousness, those filthy rags which are an abomination in God’s sight. But when we stand before the judgment-seat we shall belong to one or other of two classes—those who are “clothed,” or those who are “naked.” The “naked” will have had their filthy rags torn off, and their leprosy will appear in all its hideousness, unmasked in the searching light of God’s presence. What a terrible moment; it will be too late to cry for mercy, and the solemn words will ring out one by one in their ears, “Take him away and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
Dear reader, are you amongst those who are saying now in the day of grace, “I am rich and increased with goods, and have need of nothing”? God says to you, Thou “knowest not that thou are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked.” And He adds, “I counsel thee to buy of Me gold tried in the fire that thou mayest be rich, and white raiment that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear.” Will you not hearken to His gracious counsel?
How blessed it will be in the day of judgment to be amongst the “clothed,” and to have learned our need of a Saviour “while He may be found”— a Saviour who “knew no sin,” yet was made sin for us “that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.”
A well-known man of science was asked one day, towards the close of his life, “What do you consider was the greatest discovery you ever made?”
“That I have a Saviour,” was the unhesitating reply.
May such a discovery be yours!
C. A. W.