SPIRITUAL LEPROSY
1 Samuel 4:1-11 PSALM 44; Mark 1:40–45
Jesus cures a leper in today’s gospel passage. In the Biblical sense, leprosy was described as a swelling of the skin with a crust and a whitish patch, whose severity might have been evaluated by the depth of the affected skin. It leaves the leper horrible, disfigured, and mutilated.
Sin is a form of spiritual leprosy that leaves us horrible to behold, disfigured, and mutilated. Spiritual leprosy refers to a state of moral degeneration, spiritual impurity, or corruption. It frequently represents a state of detachment from higher ideals or heavenly values.
Just as leprosy is contagious, sin is also very contagious. 1 Cor. 15:33 says, “Bad company corrupts good character.” Sin spreads, trends, and corrupts all who are not spiritually watchful and careful.
Jesus cured the leper; He has the power also to cure our spiritual leprosies. But like the leper, we must go to Him; we must ask Him to forgive us and make us clean.
In the first reading, the Israelites went to war with the Ark of God, yet they were defeated. Why? Because of their sin and disobedience, together with the atrocities of Hophni and Phinehas, Sin brings defeat, while holiness is victorious!
Beloved, now is the best time to be made whole. 1 Pet. 1:15 says, “Be holy, as your heavenly Father is holy.” O that today you would listen to his voice; do not harden your hearts” (Heb. 3:15).
Let us pray.
Purify me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Remove every ungodly thought, motivation, or intention from me. Cleanse me so that I can be made righteous through Christ our Lord. Amen
