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From Heaven With Love
occasion for the charge that He was breaking down the restrictions
of the law. Thus His preaching would be hindered.
A multitude had witnessed the healing of the leper and were
eager to learn of the priests’ decision. When the man returned to
his friends, there was great excitement. The man made no effort to
conceal his cure. It would indeed have been impossible to conceal,
but the leper published the matter, conceiving that only the modesty
of Jesus laid this restriction on him. He did not understand that every
such manifestation made the priests and elders more determined to
destroy Jesus. The restored man rejoiced in the vigor of manhood
and felt it impossible to refrain from giving glory to the Physician
who had made him whole. But his act in blazing abroad the matter
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.
He left untried no means by which the priests and teachers, shut
in by prejudice and tradition, 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 was
opposed to the law, but His direction to the cleansed leper to present
an offering according to the law disproved this charge. Christ gave
evidence of His love for humanity, His respect for the law, and His
power to deliver from sin and death.
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The same priests who condemned the leper to banishment certi-
fied his cure publicly. And the healed man, reinstated in the congre-
gation, was a living witness for his Benefactor. Joyfully he magnified
the name of Jesus. Opportunity was granted the priests to know the
truth. During the Saviour’s life, His mission seemed to call forth
little response of love from them, but after His ascension “a great
company of the priests were obedient to the faith.”
Acts 6:7
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How Christ Cleanses the Soul From Sin
The work of Christ in cleansing the leper is an illustration of His
work in cleansing the soul from sin. The man who came to Jesus was
“full of leprosy.” The disciples sought to prevent their Master from
touching him. But in laying His hand on the leper, Jesus received no
defilement. His touch imparted life-giving power.