September 29

Morning

the priest shall examine him, and if the disease has covered his entire body, he is to pronounce the infected person clean. Since it has all turned white, he is clean. — Lev 13:13 BSB

This morning, let us reflect on the symbolic meaning behind the law of the leper and how it applies to us. We, too, are spiritual lepers, covered with the defilement of sin. When a person recognizes their complete lostness and admits that they are utterly sinful, with no part untainted, they are ready to receive cleansing through the blood of Jesus and the grace of God. Hidden, unfelt, and unconfessed sin is the true leprosy of the soul, but when sin is acknowledged and felt, it has already been dealt a death blow, and the Lord views that soul with mercy.

Nothing is more dangerous than self-righteousness, and nothing is more hopeful than true repentance. We must confess that we are "nothing but sin," for only this confession fully expresses the truth. If the Holy Spirit is at work in us, convicting us of our sin, this confession will come naturally, pouring from our lips without hesitation.

What comfort there is in this message for those who are deeply aware of their sin! No matter how dark or foul our sins may be, once they are mourned and confessed, they will never keep us from coming to Jesus. Whoever comes to Him, He will never reject. Whether you are dishonest like the thief, unchaste like the harlot, violent like Saul of Tarsus, cruel like Manasseh, or rebellious like the prodigal son—the great heart of love in Jesus will look upon you with mercy, and when you trust in Him, He will pronounce you clean. Come to Him, then, burdened sinner!

Come needy, come guilty, come loathsome and bare!
You can’t come too filthy—come just as you are!

Evening

I had just passed them when I found the one I love. I held him and would not let go until I had brought him to my mother’s house, to the chamber of the one who conceived me. — Song 3:4 BSB

Does Christ truly receive us when we come to Him, despite all our past sins? Does He not scold us for trying every other refuge before coming to Him? And is there truly no one on earth like Him? Is He the best of the best, the fairest of the fair? Then let us praise Him! Let all His people raise their voices with instruments of joy! Cast away your idols—lift up the Lord Jesus! Let the banners of pride and vanity fall to the ground, but let the cross of Jesus, which the world despises, be lifted high! O that our King, our Lord Jesus, would be enthroned on a seat of glory forever, and that my soul might rest at His feet, kissing them in gratitude and washing them with my tears.

Oh, how precious Christ is! How is it that I have thought so little of Him? Why have I sought comfort and joy elsewhere, when He is so full, so rich, so satisfying? Fellow believer, let us make a covenant with our hearts that we will never leave Him again. Let us ask our Lord to bind us to Him, to set us as a seal upon His heart, as a signet on His hand. Ask Him to adorn us as a bride does her ornaments, as the bridegroom wears his jewels.

I long to live in the heart of Christ. In the clefts of that Rock, I wish to find my eternal rest. Just as the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow a nest for her young by the altars of the Lord Almighty, so I desire to make my home in You, O Lord. May my soul never leave You again but find its rest forever in Your love.