45 “Anyone with such a defiling disease must wear torn clothes, let their hair be unkempt,[c] cover the lower part of their face and cry out, ‘Unclean! Unclean!’ 46 As long as they have the disease they remain unclean. They must live alone; they must live outside the camp.
Leviticus 13:45-46
In the old testament times, priest were not only officiators of religious rituals, but were also considered physicians that performed various examinations. Spiritual and physical well-being were one in the same in early Jewish society. (This would make sense, since physical ailments and diseases came to being once sin entered the world through during the fall of Adam.) According to the book of Leviticus, those who were unclean were shun from society. Whether this was to prevent the further spreading of the disease, or if God was punishing them through the sickness, society labeled the sick, as ones whom were "unclean". The unclean were at the mercy of the priests, as once they were clean, they would have the opportunity to reintegrate back into society after priest deems so.
Because of Christ's death on the cross, we no longer need worry about the approval of a priest to be accepted back into society. Christ accepted me as I am and will always accept regardless of how sinful I am. I do not need to cry out unclean... which I totally should, since I so wretched, but Christ transfers all the pus, sores and filth I'm covered in, to himself, so that I will have a clean bill of health to enter his kingdom. He has compassion on me, though I deserve non of it. And likewise I need to reciprocate that compassion to those around me.
In the next coming days, my mom will be going to Denver to help my brother move back to San Jose. These are some frustrating times for me because of my resentment towards my brother of always failing to stand on his own two feet. Though I know that his situation is caused by his mental disability, I feel like that isn't always the case. I'm a harsh critic because I know he needs to be responsible and want him to be that older brother for me. Someone I can look up to... The money I give to my mother somehow always gets diverted back to my brother. But from what I read and meditated on through today's scripture.. I feel so wrong and wretched for thinking that I'm any better. Christ accepts me for who I am and I need to show compassion and grace towards my brother. Christ cleansed my body from these sores, and who am I to shun my brother from the family? ...
Jesus forgive me for losing patience. Help me to have compassion for my brother. There are some deep seeded hurt that still remains in my heart, but I know that you will heal those hurts and make things whole. I pray that you be with my brother and his sickness. Allow him to be healed and no longer be reliant on any drugs. I pray you bring peace in his life and help him to function on his own. Give him grace God... Help him to find you.
In Jesus Name
Amen
Sunday, February 10, 2013
Monday, February 4, 2013
Walking away from sin
Psalms 19:13-14 NIV84
Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then will I be blameless, innocent of great transgression. May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord , my Rock and my Redeemer.
In David's psalms, he asks God's help that he would not fall into temptation. The sin that he commits is a willful act rather than one of unmerited compulsion. He closes out the song with a statement... I may my words and meditations be pleasing to you (God)
For too long I've been walking in sin. The prayers that the sin not rule over mean have stopped. I know in my heart that sinning is not right, but when I'm so consumed in myself the act of sin does not even phase me with guilt. But this sunday, while doing the Lords supper I was convicted by God to come back. I know the things I've been thinking and saying have not been pleasing in Gods sight. Lately I've been having negative thoughts of people. Feelings that cause me to be cynical. I've been a harsh critic on those around me. The joy in which I received from the Lord is gone but the only thing that remains is the feeling of meaninglessness of life's struggle. And This is also what I feel about church... I know this is satan's doing. To make myself seem greater than I am by judging them. I need to pray about this.... I am not greater. And I have no right to measure others when I myself am struggling in my spiritual life.
Jesus break my pride. Cleanse me from sin and willfully walking into sin. I am not greater than anyone else but when I walk with my head up thinking that I know best about everything around me... It really dampers my relationship with you. I pray you make me humble and find peace. I want that desire to seek you all the more fervently. In Jesus name Amen.
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