During the Biblical era, there was no cure for leprosy, but Jesus had no problem curing the disease, and Luke 5:12-13 records such a healing. A leper was declared unclean by the priest. His clothes were torn as though he was in continual repentance, and his head was covered to express submission and mourning (cp. 2Samuel 15:25-26, 30). The leper was to cover his beard with his mantle and cry out, “Unclean, unclean” to anyone along the way. As long as the leprosy remained in the man, he was defiled and was to dwell outside the city, alone (Leviticus 13:44-46).
The leper was a picture of the sinner outside the camp of God. No person can forgive his own sin, nor can any man take away the guilt of another. Only God can forgive sin. This is why leprosy is considered to be a type of sin, because only God could cure it. When I sin, I feel my guilt and sense a separation not only from God, but also from my friends and family. I feel unworthy to be a part of the church worship service, or any of the other functions of the Church. I feel like I am alone dwelling on the outside of the camp. I even have a sense of separation between my own family and me. Only God can repair the damage sin does in my life. Only God can cause me to feel like I belong to a Christian fellowship. Only in Jesus is there peace and a cure for all my ills. He is my place of safety, my dwelling place in whom I find welcome. He wills to heal me (Luke 5:13; cp. Romans 5:6, 8).
Jesus told the man who was cleansed (v.14) to tell no one but the priest that he had been healed of leprosy. Nevertheless, he spread the news so thoroughly that Jesus could no longer come into the city (Mark 1:45). The word is hindered by fame. People begin to desire the personality without regard to the word that is spoken. Jesus was not interested in fame or using charisma to influence people. Influencing merely involves a change of behavior or attitude, but this can never get rid of man’s sin problem. Influence is to modification as salvation is to metamorphosis. If all I wanted to do was to modify a caterpillar, it would never become a butterfly. Butterflies are not modified caterpillars!
The word of God is a seed that is deposited into a man’s heart to produce fruit to God and man (cp. Luke 8:11, 15). It is powerful and able to change lives (Hebrews 4:12). Fame or sensationalism cannot change a heart. Today, fame is used quite often to influence the masses. Movie stars are used to influence voters and the political machine. Celebrities are used in humanitarian campaigns. Why? Because people will do what their hero wants them to do. Sadly, this world’s method of manipulating the masses has not escaped the behavior of the leadership within the many of the churches of God. Men and women parade themselves on a stage in the name of Christ, admired by many within the Body of Christ, but doing and saying things that have very little to do with Scripture. As a result, sincere Christians follow them and become dependent upon their leadership rather than maturing in God’s word.
Jesus is interested in saving mankind, not merely influencing them. Saving involves an exchange of lives and an exchange of masters. When I was born to my parents, they passed on to me the life that was in them. This was Adam’s life. My life ultimately is traced back to him. All the power or weakness I possess comes from him. He was my master, for I could do no more than his life and power allowed. Once I received Christ as my Savior, I was given his life and Spirit. As I abide in him, my life and ability is derived from him. I have exchanged the life and lordship of Adam for the new life and Lordship of Christ!
Fame caused Jesus to withdraw into the wilderness to pray (Luke 5:16). People came to him from every quarter to hear him (Mark 1:45b). Although the word of Jesus was in power, there is another power that must be avoided (Colossians 1:13). The power of Jesus has delivered me from the power of darkness, but it is still possible for me to come under its evil influence again (cp. 2Timothy 3:1-8). May the grace of God cause us to see this difference and cling to his word only!
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