“Thou Canst Make Me Clean”
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in hindering the Saviour’s work. It caused the people to flock to Him
in such multitudes that He was forced for a time to cease His labors.
Every act of Christ’s ministry was far-reaching in its purpose. It
comprehended more than appeared in the act itself. So in the case
of the leper. While Jesus ministered to all who came unto Him, He
yearned to bless those who came not. While He drew the publicans,
the heathen, and the Samaritans, He longed to reach the priests and
teachers who were shut in by prejudice and tradition. He left untried
no means by which they might be reached. In sending the healed leper
to the priests, He gave them a testimony calculated to disarm their
prejudices.
The Pharisees had asserted that Christ’s teaching was opposed to
the law which God had given through Moses; but His direction to the
cleansed leper to present an offering according to the law disproved
this charge. It was sufficient testimony for all who were willing to be
convinced.
The leaders at Jerusalem had sent out spies to find some pretext
for putting Christ to death. He responded by giving them an evidence
of His love for humanity, His respect for the law, and His power to
deliver from sin and death. Thus He bore witness of them: “They have
rewarded Me evil for good, and hatred for My love.”
Psalm 109:5
. He
who on the mount gave the precept, “Love your enemies,” Himself
exemplified the principle, not rendering “evil for evil, or railing for
railing: but contrariwise blessing.”
Matthew 5:44
;
1 Peter 3:9
.
The same priests who condemned the leper to banishment certified
his cure. This sentence, publicly pronounced and registered, was a
standing testimony for Christ. And as the healed man was reinstated in
the congregation of Israel, upon the priests’ own assurance that there
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was not a taint of the disease upon him, he himself was a living witness
for his Benefactor. Joyfully he presented his offering, and magnified
the name of Jesus. The priests were convinced of the divine power of
the Saviour. Opportunity was granted them to know the truth and to
be profited by the light. Rejected, it would pass away, never to return.
By many the light was rejected; yet it was not given in vain. Many
hearts were moved that for a time made no sign. During the Saviour’s
life, His mission seemed to call forth little response of love from the
priests and teachers; but after His ascension “a great company of the
priests were obedient to the faith.”
Acts 6:7
.