One Year Bible, Tuesday February 22nd - Law Regarding Contagious Skin Diseases - Jesus is Not Accepted in His Hometown - Jesus Sends His Disciples Out in Two's to do the things He did!
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You might ask the question why is a whole chapter in the bible devoted to skin diseases? Fair Question.
Here are a couple of reasons:
1. An infection in Moses' day could be deadly to the person and to the community. After all they didn't have modern day antibiotics, or even topical solutions like neosporin. An infection untreated could lead to death. Some of these skin diseases led to leprosy, which was very debilitating and also could be deadly. Lepers faced extreme social stigmas as well. They had to call out "unclean" and were isolated from the community.
"It is apparent in this chapter that the Biblical term leprosy covered a broader range of skin diseases than the modern technical diagnosis of leprosy. If the leprosy has covered all his body, he shall pronounce him clean: This is counter-intuitive but apparently dealing with these ancient skin diseases, this stage of the disease gave hope for recovery. In addition, it provides a powerful spiritual picture, given the association of leprosy with humanity’s sinful condition." (Guzik)
2. They could be contagious. Just think of all of the complications with our recent and ongoing COVID pandemic. Many of our churches had to close for fear that someone in the congregation was contagious and could spread COVID to other congregants.
The Hebrew priest-physicians appear to have been the first in the ancient world to isolate persons suspected of infectious or contagious diseases.” (Harrison)
3. These health laws set Israel apart from the Gentile nations. It set the God of Israel apart from other "so called gods". Though some saw these Levitical laws as restrictive, God in his love and wisdom gave them these laws for their own good. Whether it was the dietary laws, cleanliness laws or the treatment of discases, God's law was there to protect them and cause them to prosper in His name.
1. When Jesus returned to his hometown of Nazareth, one would think he would have received a huge welcome home party. His town should have been proud of the fact that one of their own was such a popular figure who taught as one way beyond his years, and showed the power of God through signs and miracles. But the opposite happened.
There were a few who heard him who were amazed and asked where he got such wisdom and power. But the majority of people scoffed at him, muttering that how could the son of carpenter do such things. They were deeply offended by Jesus and because of their lack of faith, Jesus could do no miracles there. Jesus concludes with the famous saying, "A prophet is not accepted in their hometown."
Many times a person's greatness is only recognized after they die.
"A great sportsperson often only received due credit for their achievements after they died, while many gifted individuals died in extreme poverty and anonymity, only to be resurrected and glorified by subsequent generations. Van Gogh managed to sell only one painting in his lifetime, yet his paintings now sell for millions of dollars."(humancondition.com)
Whatever the case was, like most of the world Nazareth failed to see the Messiah, the Son of the living God who was right in their midst. Rather than trying to convince them, Jesus moved on to the next town. He did not suffer fools gladly.
2. As Jesus continued going from village to village, his strategy shifted from doing most of the preaching, delivering of demons, and healing to equipping his disciples to do the works he was doing. He sent them out two by two, so they would not be alone. This was God's wisdom in so many ways, and a great model for us today as we make disciples who in turn make other disciples.
3. Finally, we hear the story of how John the Baptist was killed. When Herod heard of Jesus, he thought John the Baptist had come back from the dead to get back at him. Though Herod respected John, his wife Herodias had a vendetta against him for the rebuke he gave of their marriage. She was previously married to Herod's brother, Philip.
Herodias' daughter danced for Herod, and he was so greatly pleased with her, he said she could have anything she wanted up to half of his kingdom. After conspiring with her mom, she asked Herod for the head of the John the Baptist. Since Herod had made his promise publicly, he had no option to grant her wish.
Later Jesus will commend John the Baptist for being, "the greatest prophet ever lived". He was a forerunner of Jesus and did not shy away from preaching God's word, even if it cost him his life.
"What Now" Study Questions:
The grisly story of John's death reveals the character of two men; Herod and John. One stood for righteousness and courageously faced persecution; the other allowed others to determine his decisions and was not willing to repent of his sin. Where do you see more of John in your character? Where do you see more of Herod in your character?
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