Many years ago lived a great prince, who was a handsome man, imposing in appearance and possessed of enormous wealth. Many famous gems were in his treasury, but there was one jewel that he always wore. It was a magnificent diamond which hung from his turban and rested in the middle of his forehead. People thought he wore it to impress others with his wealth and power, but that was not the real reason.
The real reason was that that prince, that rich and powerful man, had leprosy. Nothing in all his domain-nothing that all his gold and jewels could pay for-could cure its slow working in his body. Outwardly, it was visible in only one spot: the center of his forehead. That was the purpose of the great diamond: It was to hide his leprosy from the eyes of others.
That diamond is like a visible, blameless life which all may see but which is covering up a deceitful and wicked heart. The disease within may be hidden from human eyes, but be sure that God is not deceived. He sees through the fair outward covering and into the secret working of the heart. From what He sees there, He recognizes the moral leper a sinner.
But thank God! There is cleansing and healing for all who will receive it-cleansing and healing for the very worst and lowest.
Where is this healing and cleansing to be found? In the precious blood of Christ. That, and that alone, can cleanse away the sinner’s guilt. “The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin” (1 John 1:77But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. (1 John 1:7)).
Have you received that cleansing?