1 Peter 2:5-6

As you come to him, the living Stone rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
1 Peter 2:5-6

Thursday, May 21, 2015

Keep Your Distance

One time there was a flu outbreak at school.  One student was sick and several friends went over to her house for a movie, then they gave it to their friends and so on.  No one really knew that it was happening until Monday morning and a third of the students were missing.  As the day went on, more and more students went home sick.  When a student with glassy eyes and runny nose would show up to the door, the message was go home, keep your distance and don't breathe on anyone.  The bug was spreading so fast and hit so hard, I for one wanted no part of it.


Eventually the flu ran its course, though school was closed for three days.  I was thinking about this experience last year when the Ebola outbreak was in the news.  When I was facing the flu, I really didn't want to catch it.  But I also knew that I would most certainly get over it, I would suffer through it, but I would make it.  This is not the same with Ebola.  Most people who get it die from it and it is a very unpleasant death.  It really makes me think about those who go to treat them.


Which brings us to leprosy.  In Biblical times, that was the disease to be feared.  In our modern times, it is called Hanson's Disease and is treatable, but not back in the day.  It was contagious, deadly and meant a life of separation from others.  In Biblical times leprosy was seen as something different than a disease.  It was thought to be the result of sin.  It was something from which to be cleansed, not healed.  

Those without a relationship with God are like lepers in a spiritual sense.  They are separate from God, out on their own.  But the condition is treatable.



Imagine living in Biblical times and discovering that you had leprosy.  It would be heart wrenching knowing that in front of you is not only physical suffering, but also a life of isolation.  
In matters of the heart, God has the ultimate antidote.  It is not necessary to live separate from Him.  Healing is only a prayer away.


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